PREP GYMNASTICS SEASON PREVIEW
Three things to watch
CONVERSIONS TO SMALLER TEAMS:
Two of the state's largest and most successful co-ops are no more. Kenosha Combined, which finished second in Division 1 in 2016 and '17, and Franklin Combined, which captured championships from 2017-19, have split into smaller co-ops. Franklin Combined has split into Franklin/Muskego and Oak Creek/Whitnall, while Kenosha Bradford and Westosha Central, and Kenosha Tremper and Kenosha Indian Trail, have taken the place of the co-op from Kenosha. The move comes in response to a WIAA rule enacted two years ago that limits the size of co-ops eligible to compete for state team championships.
IS EIGHT ENOUGH? With eight straight first- or second-place finishes in Division 2, Whitefish Bay owns one of the area's most impressive streaks. This year the team must replace one of the state's all-time great competitors, 10-time state champion Addie Gallun. How will the Blue Dukes do it? Their chances begin with seniors Kate Graham and Anneh Britz, who were stalwarts in the lineup last season, and could get a boost from improvement of underclassmen such as sophomore Ryann Wesley.
FRESH FACES: Almost every season there is the emergence of a few gymnasts who are new to high school competition but accomplished competitors on the club scene. Who will that be this year and will she help push a team to the state tournament or maybe even a podium finish?
Athletes to watch
Isabella Bins, Sussex Hamilton: She made her high school debut last season as a sophomore and won state titles in the balance beam and vault.
Wylde Chupich, Badger/Burlington:
The sophomore is one of the state's top all-around performers. She finished fifth at state last season in addition to medaling in the floor exercise.
Araceli De Leo Lopez, Oak Creek/ Whitnall: The senior has made her biggest mark on the beam, where she won a state title as a sophomore and took third last season.
Kate Graham, Whitefish Bay: The top returner on the defending Division 2 champion, Graham placed sixth in the all-around last season as a junior.
Brielle Lauber, Franklin/Muskego: The senior took third in the uneven bars at state last season and ninth on the floor.
Elizabeth Lockhart, Elkhorn: The senior will try to build on last season's fifthplace finish in the vault in Division 2 and make a return trip in the all-around.
Hannah Martini, Franklin/Muskego:
The senior was a first-team all-Southeast/Classic 8 selection who went on to place third in the all-around at the sectional and 10th at state.
Leeza Patterson, Wilmot Co-op: The junior medaled in the floor exercise (sixth) and beam (fifth) last season.
Maggie Pokorny, Homestead: The junior is the top returner from state in the all-around thanks to her third-place finish. She also medaled in uneven bars (fifth) and balance beam (fourth).
Meghan Todd, Menomonee Falls/Germantown: The senior has qualified for state the past two seasons, though last year was her first as an all-around performer. She took ninth.
Abby Vorpagel, Arrowhead: The junior finished seventh in the all-around at state in her debut high school season. She also finished third on the vault and second on beam.