By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the high school gymnastics scene in Wisconsin has evolved over the last several years.
As more and more gymnasts decide that the club gymnastics scene demands too much – and at the same time, see that high school gymnastics can be more fun and offer more teamwork – the skill level has grown exponentially.
For the Burlington Combined gymnastics team – a cooperative team between Burlington, Badger, Catholic Central and Wilmot High Schools – club athletes have fueled the team’s recent success. The team has been to state.
Strong athletes have come through the program, and none really are strong than a current trio that bless the roster.
While Combined coach Diane Biedrzycki expected Molly Benavides to join the team last year as a freshman, she got a surprise when sisters Jenna and Bailey Fitzpatrick came out as well.
With those three, Burlington entire varsity lineup is filled with former club gymnasts.
With a group of talented veterans on the roster last year as well, the squad set a new state record before a bad rotation on the balance beam at the WIAA Division 1 state meet cost them the team title.
Those three, though, came back with individual medals from state in addition to a runner-up team finish. And yet, individual goals are secondary to the team atmosphere all three have found on the trip to high school gymnastics.
Benavides, who reached Level 9 (out of 10, before gymnasts try for the elite, or Olympic level, in the USA Gymnastics system) at Walworth County Gymnastics Center, said high school is just “way more fun.”
“In WCGC, we really didn’t pay attention to the team score,” Benavides said. “It was more about us and our individual (scores).”
The Fitzpatrick sisters, both of whom reached Level 10 at M&M Gymnastics, agree.
“I was kind of getting tired of the sport,” said Bailey, who won the state all-around and uneven bars titles last spring. “Everyone said high school was a lot more fun. It’s more team-based.”
Jenna, who is doing all four events – or the all-around – this year for the first time since club, added, “It helps you to do better, not just for yourself, but for your team.”
With a foot injury limiting her first to only bars and then three events last year, Jenna picked up vaulting this year and gives the team a 1-2-3 all-around punch few, if any teams in the state can match.
Biedrzycki knew at the start of the season that those three gymnasts would be at the heart of the team. However, watching them mature into leaders has been fun.
“They are definitely not the newbies looking to the older girls anymore,” said Biedrzycki. “They are definitely taking more of a leadership role.
“When they get in a competition, they are definitely all business. They have a good mix of knowing when to buckle down and work hard … and having fun.”
The three even provide a unique back-to-back-to-back punch that is rarely seen from even one individual in the state, much less three. All three perform a double back tuck somersault on the floor exercise.
The move is rated as a “D” skill at the Level 10 – the second most difficult skill level behind the “E” skill. At the high school level, it is the highest rated skill, a high superior.
The high school also rates a double twist – a move both Bailey Fitzpatrick and Benavides do – as a high superior, so the extra difficulty isn’t exactly needed.
But all three athletes are taking great pride in putting the skill on the floor.
“We’re all throwing them together, so it’s easier knowing what each is going through,” said Jenna Fitzpatrick. “We work together so much better as a group.”
Bailey said she never mastered the skill at Level 10, so to have it in high school is extra special.
“I’m confident. It’s a lot more fun,” she said. “You can go out there and show people that the hard work you are putting in is paying off.”
And Benavides said doing the skill as part of her routine is a huge thrill.
“I get butterflies every time I land it,” she said. “It’s the best feeling in the world when I land that floor routine.”
Of course, how far the team goes will rely on more than just those three. With high school having five athletes on each event, and four scores counting, Burlington still has to come up with a fourth score.
Backing up those three all-arounders are the likes of Jacquie Fiorillo, senior Lauren Otter (co-captain with Jenna Fitzpatrick) and Ciara Johnson. All are doing or will likely be doing 1-3 events for the rest of the season, and their scores will ultimately help determine whether Burlington can win that elusive team title.
From the sounds of it, the Fitzpatricks and Benavides wouldn’t have it any other way, not that they’re looking that far ahead.
“We learned our lesson last year. When we do our goals, we don’t even talk about state yet,” said Benavides, who won the Division 1 beam title last year. “We’re not pushing to that yet.”
Bailey added, “Obviously, it’s not all about winning. I’d rather see one of my teammates come out on top, doing well, with me doing well, too.
“Either way, I’m just trying to do my best.”
Her sister added, “Hopefully by the end of the year, we’ll be where we want to be.”
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