Varsity Gymnastics finishes fifth at Conference, third in JV

WAUNAKEE, Wis. — The Baraboo Thunderbirds turned in a pair of solid team finishes at the Badger Conference gymnastics meet Saturday at Waunakee, placing fifth in the varsity competition and third in the junior varsity session of the league’s championship event.

For varsity, Baraboo totaled 131.725 to secure fifth in a tight eight-team field won by Waunakee Co-Op at 141.275, just ahead of Mount Horeb’s 140.5. Monona Grove (134.05) and Watertown (133.0) rounded out the top four. The Thunderbirds’ score was powered by balanced work across the lineup, highlighted by a strong all-around performance from Zeva Valley and matching event totals of 33.4 on both vault and beam.

Valley delivered one of the top individual efforts of the day, posting a 35.45 all-around for Baraboo which earned her a third place finish on the podium. She led the Thunderbirds on all events, scoring 9.25 on floor, 9.1 on beam and 8.75 on vault, along with an 8.35 on bars. Her beam and floor sets helped Baraboo to a 33.4 team total on beam and 33.875 on floor, both among the program’s steadiest rotations of the meet and key to the overall 131.725 team score.

As a group, the Thunderbirds stayed competitive with the conference’s top programs on the power events. Baraboo’s 33.4 on vault was within a point of Monona Grove (33.525) and Watertown (33.1), and matched the team’s 33.4 on beam, where poise and consistency kept deductions in check. On floor, Baraboo’s 33.875 total trailed only the top contenders as Waunakee Co-Op used a 35.65 on floor and a 37.225 all-around from individual champion Annika Lee to secure the team title.

Baraboo’s bar work yielded a 31.05 total in varsity competition. While Waunakee Co-Op and Mount Horeb separated themselves slightly on the event, the Thunderbirds’ ability to stay on the apparatus and post counting scores across the rotation allowed the team to remain firmly in the top half of the standings and within striking distance of the programs directly ahead in the final order.

In the JV session, Baraboo had a strong third-place finish, scoring 120.975 behind Mount Horeb (127.725) and host Waunakee Co-Op (127.5). The Thunderbirds outpaced the rest of the field by more than 12 points, with Watertown finishing fourth at 108.35. Baraboo’s junior varsity lineup showed promise on three events, posting 31.225 on vault, 31.95 on beam and 31.5 on floor.

JV all-arounder Emily Kierzek led the Thunderbirds with a 28.95 total, highlighted by a 7.5 on beam, 7.35 on vault, 7.2 on floor and 6.9 on bars. Her beam set helped Baraboo to one of its best JV event totals of the day at 31.95, while the team’s 31.5 on floor reflected growing depth in dance and tumbling. Emily received fourth place honors in the all around competition. Additionally, Fiona Miller earned a 4th place position on the podium for beam. Teammates Claire Huelsemann and Julia Laux also earned a 3rd and 5th place finish on floor respectively.

On vault in the JV competition, Baraboo’s 31.225 total kept the Thunderbirds within range of the leaders and ahead of the rest of the pack. Baraboo secured the third-place team finish and capped a productive day for both Baraboo lineups on the conference stage.