Gymnasts shatter school record

Sauk Prairie gymnastics coach Justin Anderson knew her team was capable of a memorable performance. Personal bests. Flawless routines. Record scores. It all came together for the Eagles on Jan. 28 when they obliterated the previous school record and defeated Waunakee/DeForest, 137.725-131.725. Sauk Prairie’s old school record was 136.225. “The girls blew it out of the park,” Anderson said. “We completely crushed the school record and also scored 2.40 points higher than we have all season. It was the first night we had almost everyone hit all of their routines.” McKenna Breunig won the all-around competition with a 35.8750, while Claire Hartman was second and set a personal-best score of 34.70. The Eagles also got PRs from Hartman (8.850), Lauren Uselman (8.80) and Addy Ranzenberger (8.350) on the beam, and Kylee Ballweg on the bars (8.375). “What was so cool to see is how many personal bests there were from last night,” Anderson said. “More than half of the team did it between JV and varsity, and a few more of the girls were just shy of it. This shows that they are all getting more consistent and are able to hit all of their routines in a competition, which is the ultimate goal.” Breunig was second on the vault with a 9.0, while Hartman was third (8.40), Lyla Annen was fourth (8.150) and Ballweg was fifth (8.10). Breunig was first on the uneven bars with an 8.80, while Hartman was third (8.425), Ballweg was fifth (8.375) and Annen was sixth (8.10). Breunig was first on the beam with a 9.225, while Hartman was third (8.850), Uselman was fourth (8.80) and Ranzenberger was fifth (8.350). Sauk Prairie’s team total of 35.225 on the beam also broke the previous school record of 35.0. “Beam was the standout for me, as not only did most of the girls stay on the beam, but they were solid  — not wiggly — and hitting their connections for bonus,” Anderson said. “We had four out of five girls hit their routines, and three of them earned a personal best score.  “Lyla (Annen) was on JV this time and was ready to prove me wrong. She had a gorgeous routine and scored an 8.80, certainly earning her spot back on varsity at the next competition.” And on the floor exercise, Breunig was first (9.150), Hartman was second (9.025), Uselman was fourth (8.775) and Ranzenberger was fifth (8.50). “Lauren (Uselman) and Lyla (Annen) have really been standing out in competitions and are proving to be extremely consistent, good under pressure, and continue to improve their scores to a level that we had only dreamed of before,” Anderson said. “I hope that the confidence that was gained from such a successful night continues to fuel them to keep doing more of the same for the rest of the season.  “They certainly are practicing more confidently and with a lot more joy.” • On deck: The Eagles are at Monona Grove Friday at 6 p.m. Sauk Prairie then heads to the Dodgeville Invitational Saturday at 10 a.m. Schools competing include, the Eagles, Platteville, Jefferson, Dodgeville, Prairie du Chien, Reedsburg, River Valley, Southwestern and Westby.