Gymnasts finish fourth at sectional meet Subhead: Wolcott qualifies for state on balance beam

By Jennifer Eisenbart~Sports Editor

Last week’s WIAA Division 1 gymnastics sectional at Waukesha West may not have been everything the Westosha/Union Grove gymnastics team was looking for, but it was still special.

Senior Aslyn Wolcott earned a return trip to the WIAA state meet after qualifying as a sophomore, and will compete today in the individual competition on the balance beam.

As a team, Westosha/Union Grove finished fourth with a score of 139.075. As expected, Burlington Combined (149.3) and Franklin Combined (148.65) earned the two team berths to state. Mukwonago/Kettle Moraine finished third with a score of 144.55 – a season high.

Westosha came close to a season high, but a number of falls on the balance beam kept the team just shy of the 140 mark.

The team did get a 9.30 out of Wolcott, who finished third overall, and also the best routine of the year out of Devan Green (8.75). The top five individual finishers on each event and in the all-around qualified for state.

“If it was the conference meet, she scores over 9 but not at this loaded sectional,” said coach Bill Price of Green. “Our eventual state qualifier Aslyn Wolcott didn’t disappoint and had one of the meet’s best routines.”

Westosha/UG started the meet on uneven bars and had a solid effort, and also broke the 34-point mark on balance beam and floor exercise.

But it was on vault where the team really excelled, as a number of athletes did flipping vaults for the first time at the sectional meet.

“The 36.2 team total was a season high for us,” Price said. “Our top four girls competed flips and made them for a season’s first.”

Freshman Sydney Rau finished tied for 12th on vault with a 9.25, while Patience Spinler had a 9.10 to finish tied for 17th. Devan Green (8.95), Wolcott (8.90) and Lexie Biggs (8.125) rounded out the lineup.

Wolcott ended up eighth all-around with a score of 35.30, while Green was ninth with a 35.225 and Spinler 12th with a 34.475 after struggles on the bars and beam.

“I cannot help but be very pleased with what the girls accomplished for our gymnastics program,” said Price. “They improved so much and the other coaches complimented them on it.”

Price was hopeful that Wolcott could medal on the balance beam at state.


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