ATHLETES TO WATCH

The defending Division 1 state champion on the balance beam (9.550) will also be one of the area’s top allaround performers. She took eighth last season (36.783) and is the No. 4 returner in the event.

Lexi Romero, sr., Brookfield East/Central: This multi-sport standout who will run track at Minnesota has worked her way up the ranks in the D1 all-around. She took sixth as a sophomore and third last year. This year she is the state’s top returner in the event.

Shaye Taubner, jr., Cedarburg/Grafton: After missing last season due to an injury, Taubner is off to a strong start. She was second in the all-around (35.575) at the West Bend East Invitational on Saturday.

Abby Timms, sr., Whitefish Bay: A state qualifier as a sophomore and junior, Timms is the top area athlete back in the Division 2 all-around. Her strongest event has been the vault. She placed ninth as a sophomore and fifth last season.

Erin Wagner, soph., Waukesha: As a freshman, Wagner took second to Penney in the beam and qualified for state in the floor exercise. This year she is competing in those events and the uneven bars and hopes to add the vault.

Alexis Woida, jr., Arrowhead: She was hampered by injury early last season but finished strong, reaching state in the all-around – she placed 15th – and getting a top-10 finish in the uneven bars (9.083).