Sports Editor Mike Ramczyk interviews the leaders of the Burlington/Badger/Wilmot gymnastics team on their quest for a state title.
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Burlington/Badger/Wilmot gymnastics coach Diane Biedrzycki wants to be humble when talking about her team’s state title aspirations this season.
“It’s more of a goal than a pressure,” she said. “But the idea is to get that state title.”
Biedrzycki didn’t say a team state title was the only way the girls can have success this season, but a wealth of returning talent and three straight Division I runner-up finishes makes title talk the elephant in the room to say the least.
The Big Three, as they were affectionately dubbed last year by several media outlets, is back and better than ever. Senior Jenna Fitzpatrick, sister Bailey Fitzpatrick, a junior, and junior Molly Benavides have more collective individual state hardware than Home Depot.
Fitzpatrick is the defending state champ on bars and all-around, and Benavides won state on floor and vault.
Jenna Fitzpatrick placed third in bars, third in all-around and fourth in vault at individual state.
Benavides has won five state medals in her two seasons. Bailey Fitzpatrick was won eight medals – four gold – in her two seasons.
According to an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bailey could become only the third gymnast in state history to win three straight all-around state titles. The feat hasn’t been accomplished in 17 years.
This may be the last chance in some time for the Demons to win that elusive first-ever team state championship.
Burlington’s Aubrey Weinhammer, Catholic Central’s Jacquie Fiorillo and Badger’s Hailey Siegler, Ciara Johnson and Shelby Peck could become nice complements to the talented trio.
“I’m really excited,” Biedrzycki said. “We are as strong, if not better than last year. And we didn’t lose all season until state a year ago.”
BBW has won four straight Southern Lakes Conference titles and is the favorite again this season.
The girls have been going hard in two-hour practices for about a month now in anticipation of Saturday’s Emerald Invite in Waterford.
The prestigious event, which BBW won last year, will include defending DI state champ Franklin and several other top teams.
At a Dec. 5 practice at the old gym, a small dungeon-like atmosphere at Karcher Middle School, girls worked on their routines as Biedrzycki helped correct errors where needed and compliment strong moves.
She wasn’t alone, though. Assistant coach Lindsay Grant is back with the team, and Biedrzycki also welcomes a former Demon gymnast, co-assistant coach Andrea Hegemann.
Hegemann competed four years for BBW and had plenty of success.
“She has the system down,” Biedrzycki said of Hegemann. “She knows what to expect and will be a great asset.”
Robyn Scheuerman, a Badger student who Biedrzycki hoped would be a varsity contributor this season, is out for the year with a torn Achille’s tendon.
Right now, the Demons are enjoying each other and building important team chemistry.
“They love the sport and aren’t feeling burned out,” Biedrzycki said. “They are loving the team aspect.”
Biedrzycki, now in her ninth year back with the team after taking a hiatus, coached a lot of these girls since they were toddlers. Biedrzycki owns Southern Lakes Gymnastics in Burlington.
She said her and her gymnasts keep in touch, even after graduation.
That bond goes far in this sport. Franklin was led by a cohesive group of eight strong seniors in last year’s title run.
This year, it may not be a two-horse race.
“Franklin is deep and has some new talent,” Biedrzycki said. “They have some new talent and will be tough.”
Biedrzycki said there are at least three or four teams that will contend for state in the Demons’ sectional this season.
Homestead, which placed third at Division I state last year, Mukwonago, Westosha Central and Kenosha will all be looking to knock off Burlington and Franklin.
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