By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Sometimes, your best athletes deserve a much-needed night off.
While the Burlington-Badger-Wilmot gymnastics squad had its “Big Three,” Molly Benavides, Bailey Fitzpatrick and Jenna Fitzpatrick, in limited action Jan. 6 at Whitewater, it was the junior varsity girls that stepped up when called upon.
Varsity girls only competed in two events each, but it didn’t faze the Demons as they won, 140.375-104.95, at Whitewater High School.
Burlington improved to 6-0 in the Southern Lakes Conference.
While Bailey Fitzpatrick won the bars and beam, Wilmot’s Sophie Ellsworth won floor and Hailey Siegler won vault. Ellsworth and Siegler compete mostly on junior varsity.
“The JV girls really stepped up,” BBW coach Diane Biedrzycki said. “It was fun to see them put that together. Sophie and Hailey are playing their roles and doing a great job. All our JV girls have earned a varsity letter this season.”
It was the Demons’ third meet in six days, and Biedrzycki wanted to rest her varsity girls. But Bailey Fitzpatrick showed no signs of fatigue.
She won the uneven bars (9.25) and scored a season-high 9.675 in winning the balance beam as the Demons scored a season-high 37.05 on the beam.
“Bailey had no wobbles on the beam,” Biedrzycki said. “She was really, really solid.”
Siegler (8.25) won the vault, and Ellsworth won the floor with an 8.85.
While still ranked No. 3 in the state in Division 1 according to the Wisconsin High School Gymnastics Association rankings, BBW is flying under the radar.
The girls have endured injuries all season, but they are finally becoming healthy in time for the stretch run.
Ciara Johnson, who missed most of the season with an injury, competed in three of four varsity events at Whitewater.
Jacquie Fiorillo is vaulting again, and Jenna Fitzpatrick, who has been limited with an Achille’s injury, is back to all four events this week.
Biedrzycki said Jenna Fitzpatrick hit both of her events against Whitewater (bars and beam), and she is excited to have Jenna back.
“We are just kind of getting there in terms of full strength,” Biedrzycki said. “It’s still new for a few girls.”
Though the team is third in the state behind top-ranked Arrowhead and No. 2 Franklin, the Demons are all over the individual state rankings.
Benavides is No. 1 in the state in vault, second in all-around and third on floor. Bailey Fitzpatrick is first in floor and all-around, second on bars and third on beam.
Jenna Fitzpatrick is currently third on bars.
Burlington returns home Thursday night for Parents and Senior Night against Westosha Central. Biedrzycki said everyone is healthy, and she is hoping for a team season-high score.
Then, on Saturday, the Demons travel to the Mukwonago Invite, a 10-team event featuring defending state champion Franklin and other top talent.
“We will have a test against Franklin, but we should be among the top couple teams,” Biedrzycki said.
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