Gymnastics Sectionals (3/1)

The Coulee Region is lucky to have 4 teams competing at the state team gymnastics meet on Saturday and a number of individuals competing as well.

Teams:

In Division 1... the La Crosse Logan/Central cooperative took 2nd place in the Waunakee sectional behind Middleton. There total score was 131.500 and their strongest gymnast overall was Amber Bartlett who scored a 33.400 overall. This isn't La Crosse's best score but it's good enough to get them to the pinnacle of Wisconsin High School gymnastics competition. They're underdogs as they had the lowest team sectional score of any of the teams that are going, but I know I've seen better scores out of them, so it could've been an off-day at sectionals and their judges could've been different. I'd call a top 3 finish a long shot, but I certainly wouldn't rule them out.

In Division 2 we have 3 teams.

West Salem/Aquinas is definitely the favorite from the area, they dominated the Coulee Conference and are peaking at the right time of the year. Their sectional score was 3rd in the state at 139.9 behind Whitefish Bay (143.55) and River Falls (146.45). They took 7th at state last year and made an appearance in 2006 when they took 4th. Their top two gymnasts from last year, Courtney Oldenburg and Kelly Schams are both back for their senior years and the team adds a talented freshman who's all-around score was 2nd in the sectional and had the 5th highest sectional score. On top of that, of all the all around gymnasts, West Salem/Aquinas has 3 of the top 10. Anything can happen in a meet, so it's a little hard to predict a finish, but they definitely have the talent for a top 3 finish or better.

GMC Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau/Melrose-Mindoro/Cochran-Foutain City is making their second trip to state in three years after their three best gymnasts from last year graduated. senior Maura Lee and freshman Tatiana Rice lead GMC into state after a 2nd place Sectional finish with the 6th highest score in division 2. They're another team peaking at the right time in the season and I could see a top 5 finish if the cards fall right.

Viroqua/Cashton/De Soto/North Crawford comes into the regional lead by one of the area's best gymnasts, junior Karla Hagen. Hagen has been to state before, but this co-op has never been to state. The individual schools have seen state 8 times but not since 1995. This is a very exciting opportunity for them. They had the 9th highest score out of 10 coming out of sectionals, but could possibly improve that finish in the state meet.

Individuals:

There are a lot of individuals who qualified for state, so bare with me on this.

Overall qualifiers:
Amber Bartlett (La Crosse) - Took 5th place over all in her sectional and would've qualified in two events if she didn't go for all-around. I've seen her perform and I wouldn't rule her out to have a pretty respectable finish

Karla Hagen (Viroqua Co-op) - One of the area's top gymnasts with the 3rd place all around score at all sectionals. She can put up some pretty big numbers and I wouldn't be surprised to see her come home with some individual medals.

Maddy Haupert (West Salem/Aquinas) - 5th place overall finish in division 2 all around sectionals. A very good freshman who's given her team a big boost coming into this year. She's another one who could stir things up.

Kelly Schams (West Salem/Aquinas) - 8th place overall finish at state and a very solid gymnast. She has a lot of experience and looks to have a good performance on Friday.

Courtney Oldenburg (West Salem/Aquinas) - She's been to Wisconsin Rapids three times before for the state meet and is always mentioned among the areas best gymnasts.

Cassie Noel (Holmen) - In an off year for Holmen, one of the bright spots is Cassie Noel, qualifying for the all-around, 3rd place at her sectional, she could have a good meet.

Maura Lee (GMC) - At state for her senior season she took 4th at her sectional and should have good meets Friday and Saturday.

Tatiana Rice (GMC) - A rising freshman for GMC, had pretty good scores at sectionals and should also have good meets both Friday and Saturday.

Qualifiers on individual events:

Erin Jennings (Holmen) - Beam and Bars
Cassidy McAllen (GMC) - Beam
Anna Swann (La Crosse) - Bars
Cheyanne Reglin (Arcadia) - Vault
Danyel Lomas (Viroqua Co-Op) - Floor