By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
A year ago, the Burlington/Badger/Wilmot gymnastics team took the state by storm, setting a new Division 1 state record and dominating throughout the regular season.
But the squad came up short of the state title – maybe the only goal the team didn’t accomplish.
That said, it’s not the focus of this year’s team.
BBW lost three seniors to graduation – all-arounder Michelle Dankle, state vault and beam qualifier Kerry Leonard and vaulter Alice Gordon – plus has been struggling with injuries in the preseason.
Right now, the squad has one season-ending injury – to three-eventer Aubrey Weinhammer – plus Nicole Johnson will not be able to compete until late in the season.
In addition, Robynanne Scheuerman and Jordan Borkovec – both of whom contributed on varsity last year – are hurt, and Wilmot senior Marlee Brunow elected not to come out for the team.
That includes Bailey Fitzpatrick, returning D1 state all-around champion. Sister Jenna will also be in the all-around this year.
Add in Molly Benavides, the state Division 1 balance beam champion and an equal to the two Fitzpatricks in the all-around, and BBW has a 1-2-3 punch on every event equal to anyone in the state.
From there, BBW won’t have any other all-arounders, but a number of athletes could contribute on 2-3 events.
Senior Lauren Otter, who has qualified to state as an individual on both the balance beam and floor exercise, returns after an injury-laden junior year. She will compete on three events – vault, balance beam and floor.
Scheuerman, meanwhile, will battle for spots in the vault and floor lineup once healthy, and Borkovec and Johnson could see some varsity time.
Two other returning letterwinners, Ciara Johnson and Meghan Jarnigo, have the ability to contribute on several events at the varsity level as well.
Newcomer Jacquie Fiorillo – a junior who came out as a vault and bars specialist this year – could see varsity time as well. Fiorillo will add Catholic Central back to the co-op this year, which has been just gymnasts from Burlington, Badger and Wilmot for several years.
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