Fun good enough for second place
Sometimes you just need to relax and have fun.
For a variety of reasons, the Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op girls gymnastics team has been consistently inconsistent.
During Saturday’s Neuqua Valley Invite, Waubonsie/Metea avoided any letdowns and nearly came away with a title, finishing as runner-up to Prairie Ridge, 140.325 to 139.870.
“We had all three of our all-arounders, so in general it was a great day for us,” Waubonsie/Metea coach Nicole Daly said. “They seemed to be less pressured and more relaxed and it showed in their scores today.”
Elizabeth Brandenburg and Maddie Strick finished 1-2 in the all-around with a 36 and a 35.9, respectively. Strick won bars with a 9 and Brandenburg took home top honors on floor with a 9.65.
“I was actually really nervous to compete today because practices haven’t gone as well as I wanted,” Brandenburg said. “I just focused on having fun and doing my best and it was good enough.”
The talent has been there all season for Waubonsie/Metea. Now, the team is finally executing with some consistency.
“The first half of the season was up and down,” Daly said. “The past few weeks they’ve gotten along better, bonded more and have had a more open attitude. They were going into meets tight and now are more comfortable and are beginning to realize what they’re capable of and luckily we’re hitting that point now.”
Competing in her final home meet, Neuqua Valley senior Riley Wypiszenski helped the Wildcats snag third place with a 136.6.
Wypiszenski took third place in the all-around with a 35.6 and won the beam with a 9. She also won the beam last year with a 9.
“It must be the number. Lucky No. 9,” Neuqua Valley coach JoAnn Pschigoda said. “She battled today and did a fantastic job. She nailed her vaults and first place on beam. I think that’s a special way to go out.”
Especially since Wypiszenski wasn’t totally healthy.
“I’m really excited with the outcome,” she said. “After a bad meet on Tuesday and having a cold today, I was scared things weren’t going to go well.”
Emily Jacobs placed eighth in the all-around for the Wildcats with a 34. She scored a 9.2 on vault and an 8.95 on floor. Lake Park took fifth place with a 133.075. Jessica Lewis was the Lancers top all-arounder with a 33.725 and Linnae Capuder was sixth on beam with an 8.55.
“We’re still waiting to get Kayla (Goodwin) back,” Lake Park coach Jake Luketin said. “She’s really our top all-arounder and we hope to phase her back.”
Goodwin, who injured her ankle at Homewood-Floosmoor a few weeks ago, led the Lancers with an 8.05 on bars and also competed on beam.
Hinsdale South took seventh place with a 125.6 and was led by all-arounder Lauren Haney’s 32.5. Casey Bolsna totaled a 32.7 in the all-around for Addison Trail, which placed eighth with a 123.575.