By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
The front-runners have officially become underdogs.
So is the tale of the 2013-14 Burlington-Badger-Wilmot varsity gymnastics squad.
Though ranked No. 2 in Division 1 in the first state rankings, this is unfamiliar territory for the Demons.
But with a full month left of the season, there’s still time for the hobbled squad to take over the top spot.
Burlington knocked off visiting Waterford Jan. 23 at Karcher Middle School, 142.2-131.45, recording its highest score of the season since. It was the best mark since December, when the Demons notched a 145 at the Emerald Invite.
Burlington battled Waterford with seven out of 20 varsity routines occupied by junior varsity athletes due to various injuries.
“This is new for us,” said BBW coach Diane Biedrzycki Tuesday night. “It’s not a comfortable feeling when the team isn’t at full strength. But as long as we get there in the end, we’ll be fine.”
Senior Jenna Fitzpatrick, one of the team leaders, is battling through Achilles tendonitis in her foot but is making progress. After competing in only one event in two previous meets, Fitzpatrick competed in bars and beam against Waterford and won the bars with a 9.4.
Catholic Central’s Jacquie Fiorillo injured her groin in the first meet of the season. After taking two weeks with zero activity, Fiorillo competed on bars against Waterford and had a solid showing.
Also, Badger’s Ciara Johnson has missed the entire season but is expected back next week.
“It’s February, and we’re getting into the home stretch,” Biedrzycki said. “We would like to be strong at this time of the year to build chemistry going into the postseason. But we must pace things with these injuries and not push it.”
Molly Benavides and Bailey Fitzpatrick, two-thirds of the “Big Three” along with Jenna Fitzpatrick, picked up the slack against the Wolverines.
Benavides was dominant, winning the all-around with a score of 37.45. She won vault (9.75), beam (9.55) and floor (9.45).
Bailey Fitzpatrick was second in the all-around with a 36.0, but she suffered falls on both the bars and beam. Biedrzycki said it was a rough night for Bailey.
“We had a good warmup and a good approach against Waterford,” Biedrzycki said.
Two Lake Geneva Badger freshmen, Mia Trent and Hailey Siegler, made the jump from junior varsity to help the Demons. Trent notched an 8.4 on vault, and Siegler’s best score was an 8.175 on floor.
Biedrzycki anticipates Siegler could stay on varsity beam the rest of the season.
Wilmot sophomore Sophia Ellsworth recorded an 8.475 on vault.
For Waterford, the 131.45 is a season-high team score.
The Wolverines posted strong scores of 34.4 in the vault and 33.45 on floor.
Sam Dziak was third in the all-around with a score of 34.025. We placed second on vault (9.075) and third on floor (8.9).
Isabel Saber was fourth in the all-around with a 33.375, and Lauren Dziak was fifth with a 31.975.
Things won’t get any easier for the Demons this weekend at the Madison Memorial Invite.
Another face-off with defending state champion Franklin will highlight the event, which features some of the better teams in the state.
Biedrzycki said Fiorillo will compete on vault and bars Saturday, and she hopes Jenna Fitzpatrick will be able to go in three of the four events.
Burlington’s next home meet is Tuesday against Kenosha, and Biedrzycki hopes to have Johnson back. That would give the Demons a full lineup for the first time since Dec. 14.
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