Complete performance highlighted by personal bests, season-high score
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
In a matter of roughly 45 days, the Burlington/Badger/Wilmot (BBW) gymnastics squad has nearly doubled its team score.
That’s not too bad for a team that lost two of the best gymnasts in area history to graduation and welcomed three freshmen to varsity with a new coaching staff.
The Demons tallied a 140.15 Jan. 30 at the prestigious Spartan Invite in Madison, a full six points better than their previous season best and the second consecutive meet with a season-best score.
This cast of characters continues to improve and make a name for itself, with Allie Miller, Hailey Siegler, Kenzie Terry, Mia Trent, Mari Trent and Sophia Ellsworth all placing (top 12) in at least one event at the eight-team invite.
“On floor, every single girl posted a season high, and after that I knew it was going to be a special day,” said BBW head coach Andrea Hegemann. “I was incredibly pleased with the girls. To get second place at such a huge invite is an accomplishment that many teams do not get to experience.”
“Our first meet we got a 124, so if you would have told me a month and a half later we would be getting a 140, I truly don’t think I would have believed it.”
Siegler, a Lake Geneva Badger junior, led the way like she’s done all season with an all-around score of 35.575, good for third place.
Siegler took second on floor (9.5) and third on beam (9.15).
“Hailey had a great day,” Hegemann said. “Beam is her best event, so to start out on it is actually quite difficult because the pressure is on her right away to hit. She trusted herself and nailed her routine.”
“She is a gymnast with immense talent who just needs the confidence to believe that she can get the big skills and hang with the “big dogs” of high school gymnastics. We’re still working on adding to her routines, so I truly believe she will be peaking at just the right time this year.”
Burlington’s strongest event was floor, where a 37.225 was good for second.
Ellsworth took seventh with a 9.425, and Terry was 10th with a 9.375.
Hailey Borkovec took 17th with a solid 8.925.
Mari Trent placed ninth in all-around, highlighted by a third-place finish on vault (9.225) and eight place on bars.
Trent’s sister Mia took 10th on vault.
Allie Miller, a Union Grove student, placed seventh on beam with an 8.9.
With more success, team chemistry is strong. Hegemann said the girls are more concerned with their teammates’ success than individual glory.
“On any given practice, a girl on the team will get a new skill they’ve been working on and the whole team will be screaming and hugging her,” she said. “They are usually more excited for their teammates than themselves, and it’s a genuine love for the sport and each other that has made this season successful.”
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