With one meet left in the regular season, the Kentlake gymnastics team increased its winning streak to a perfect 13-0 with a 170.25-point performance against Tahoma, Decatur and Auburn last Wednesday night.
The Falcons got strong performances from senior Kayla Shira, who won the all-around with a 37.7 score. Shira captured first place in all four events — notching a 9.60 on the bars, a 9.2 on the beam, a 9.55 in the floor exercise and a 9.35 on the vault.
Freshman Katie Steckler continued her maturation with a third-place finish in the all-around, with a 34.45 score. Steckler finished third in the bars with an 8.5 and tied for second in the floor exercise with a 9.45.
Kentlake freshman Brenna Bickel finished tied for third in the vault with a 8.60.
“I was fairly pleased with the team’s performance,” Kentlake coach Marla Boyd said. “We have been struggling as a team, dealing with the pressure, especially on the beam. We still had a few falls last night, but overall we are doing better at staying focused and not letting what’s happening around us affect individual performances.”
Boyd added that the team’s finish was significant because they are operating without Lynnsey Thielman, who is sidelined with a foot injury.
“We were able to hit the 170 range while having one of our strongest gymnasts out with an injury,” Boyd said. “I think this is a testament to the depth that we have. It is also a big confidence booster for the team, knowing that we have the depth to absorb an injury.”
According to Boyd, Thielman had a pin removed from her foot this past Monday and is walking without crutches.
“Barring any unforeseen setbacks, you could see her getting back in the rotation as early as next week, even if it’s just bars,” she said. “The most important thing is that she gets a strong recovery so we are not pushing it.”
Thielman is currently waiting for approval from her doctor to return to competition.
Now, the team is bracing for tonight’s All-City meet at Kentridge.
“We are working on adding difficulty in order to increase start values,” Boyd said. “Our goal for postseason is to have six optional bar routines, and 10.0 start values on the beam and floor for all six gymnasts in the lineup. Girls have been working on skills and we are getting closer and closer to this goal.”
Tahoma finished second in the team competition with a 161.65 followed by Decatur (138.45) and Auburn (137.95).
Tahoma’s Brianna McKenney was second in the overall with a 36.15. She captured second place on the bars with a 8.60, the beam with a 8.90, the vault with a 9.20 and tied for second on the floor with a 9.45.
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