Sauk Prairie gymnasts get the better of Baraboo

Sauk Prairie’s girls gymnastics team was missing Claire Hartman — one of its top performers — due to sickness last Friday. But the Eagles didn’t miss a beat. Sauk Prairie got terrific performances up and down the lineup and defeated Baraboo, 132.275-128.875. “The girls really stepped up to fill (Claire’s) shoes,” Sauk Prairie coach Justine Anderson said.  McKenna Breunig won the all-around competition  with a 34.775, while Lyla Annen tied for third with a 32.60. Breunig was first on the vault with an 8.70, while the Eagles also counted scores from Addy Ranzenberger (8.150), Annen (7.950) and Kylee Ballweg (7.850). Annen and Ballweg tied for first on the bars with an 8.350, while Brenig posted a 7.850 and Lauren Uselman scored a 7.30. “Bars would be the biggest loss without Claire’s score, and I asked both Lyla and Kylee for an 8.3 on bars,” Anderson said. “It would be a big PR for both of them, but doable. They both surprised me by each earning an 8.35!” Breunig was first on the balance beam (8.975), Uselman was third (8.150) and the Eagles also counted scores Ballweg (8.025) and Ranzenberger (7.725). And on the floor, Breunig was second (9.250), Uselman was third (8.975) and Sauk Prairie counted scores from Annen (8.60) and Ranzenberger (8.50). “Lauren had a great night, competing on all-around for varsity and earning an all-around PR,” Anderson said. “She improved her vault score, as well as earned a big PR on floor.  “Kylee also had the opportunity to compete all around for varsity and is continuing to show consistency in competition, especially on beam and bars. We are very excited for her floor routine to continue to improve and we were all very proud of her ability to step in on Friday night, despite her battles with floor leading up to the night.” • Giving back: The Eagles also raised $100 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital by selling pink-out shirts for the meet. “It was nice to be competing for a cause other than winning,” Anderson said.