Perrysburg gymnasts 8th in state
3/3/2018HILLIARD, Ohio — With an infusion of talented freshmen joining an already talented cast, the Perrysburg gymnastics team entered the state team meet Friday at Hilliard Bradley expecting to take a step forward compared to a year ago when it placed last at the 12-team event.
The Yellow Jackets did just that, following a district championship by improving to eighth with 138.725 points as Brecksville-Broadview Heights won the championship (146.7).
District runner-up Springfield finished 12th (131.625). On vault, Perrysburg recorded a 36.875.
“Vault was awesome,” coach Michelle Caufman said. “It was our best meet of the season. Everyone hit. We made 30 out of 32 routines tonight.
“This year [we were] hoping to finish 10th or higher [as a team]. We’ve got five seniors and had five freshmen come in and fill the gap this year.”
Perrysburg, which placed 10th in 2012, and then made it back to state a year ago, had a five-member senior class that is led by Emily Mitchell and Bailey Lewicz.
On vault, Mitchell scored 9.025, Lewicz recorded an 8.8, and senior Breanna Plummer had an 8.575.
Sophomore Karrington Scoble led on bars with an 8.425, and freshman Caitlin Madigan led on beam with an 8.675, and on floor with an 8.875.
“Last year we got last place [at state] but this year we had probably our best team in about seven or eight years,” Mitchell said. “We’ve got five new freshmen that are all super talented.”
Madigan had the team’s best all-around score (34.875), followed by Mitchell (34.1), and Lewicz (34.075).
Madigan and Mitchell both are among those who have been pleased with the progressions the program has made.
“I’ve never been a part of a school team, so I’ve really enjoyed it,” Madigan said.
Springfield was making its fifth state appearance in six seasons, including the second year in a row after it placed 11th last season.
The Blue Devils also were 11th in 2013 and 2014, and placed 12th in 2015.
“I thought it went pretty well,” Kara Frantz said.
Frantz had the team’s best all-around score (34.4) followed by sophomore Olivia Holley (33.025), and senior Sophia Catera (31.55).
Frantz recorded a 9.0 on floor for the team’s best score.
She also had an 8.625, while Holley had an 8.6 on vault, with Holley leading on bars (8.1), and senior Claire Evans leading on beam (8.35).
“I only lost one senior from last year and gained two freshmen,” coach Jessica Hodulik said. “I just [wanted] to see them go out and hit all of their routines. A lot of times we come down here and fall apart on beam, so just having strong routines [was] our goal.”