Batavia hits season high in winning triangular

Melissa Van Ham was a cheerleader at this time the past two years.

The senior has returned to the Batavia girls gymnastics team this season, and in just her second meet since freshman year, Van Ham competed in all four events, posting a 32.45 to help the Bulldogs defeat Fenton, 135.85-123.25.

"I was thinking about coming back for awhile, Van Ham said. "I want to do what I like and didn't want to leave high school with any regrets."

Batavia is excited to have her back in the lineup, especially with the void left with three members of last winter's state-qualifying team lost to graduation.

"It's nice to know that you're needed," Van Ham said. "I've done pretty well so far and for only my second meet I'm pretty happy."

Danae Fuqua won the uneven bars for the Bulldogs. She had a fall, but also successfully converted a new skill for the first time.

"It went pretty well," she said. "I had a fall but I caught a big skill, a Jaeger, for the first time in competition."

Fuqua was also sharp on beam, where she placed second with a 9.2 en route to scoring a 35.55 in the all-around.

Emma Gear performed the Bulldogs' top floor exercise routine, earning an 8.75. She finished with a 34.5 all-around score as the Bulldogs easily surpassed the 129.4 they scored in the season opener on Nov. 23.

"We all sat down after the first meet and figured out ways to get a tenth of a point here and there," Fuqua said. "We're updating our skills and working real hard and it's already starting to pay off."

Fenton wasn't close to upsetting Batavia, but the Bison posted a season-best score in their fifth meet already this season. They'll continue to keep busy as they travel to Maine South on Thursday.

"We have a lot new girls this year which is a real positive," Fenton coach Paula Parat said. "Some have never done gymnastics before, but they're cheerleaders who are converting to beam, bars and vault."

Sarah Polvi led the Bison with a 33.75 all-around score while teammates Haley Sabala (32.75) and Becky Aichelle (32.25) also contributed.

Sisters Abby and Jordyn Madden competed as individuals for St. Edward. Abby, a freshman, bested her sophomore sister, winning beam, floor exercise and the all-around. The two tied on vault.

"We've been competing together since I was in the second grade," Abby Madden said. "I've been doing really well lately and a lot of that is me being consistent each time."