Returning state champions are among 21 high school gymnasts to watch in Wisconsin
The high school gymnastics season is underway with gymnasts throughout the season looking to polish routines with an eye toward the postseason in February and March.
The WIAA state tournament is March 1-2 at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School. Verona/Edgewood is the defending team champion in Division 1 and Nicolet is the defending Division 2 champ.
Here are 21 of the best gymnasts in the state, including several returning state champions.
Rya Arreazola, jr., Janesville Craig
Finished 10th on the balance beam at the Division 1 state meet last season. Also placed 14th in the all-around. Earned Wisconsin High School Gymnastics Association first-team all-state honors on beam.
Avery Ash, so., Rice Lake
Finished fifth in the all-around in Division 2 at the state meet last season. Was the state champion on vault (9.483). Also placed second on balance beam, 12th on floor exercise and 16th on uneven bars.
Sam Burge, sr., Mukwonago/Kettle Moraine
Placed third in the floor exercise at the Division 1 state meet last season. Also placed 11th on the balance beam and 14th on the uneven bars.
Emily Craker, sr., Reedsburg Area
Placed 12th in the all-around at the Division 2 state meet. Also placed third on uneven bars and sixth on the vault. First-team all-state on vault.
“Emily really put in work in the offseason and hopefully that will make all the difference this year,” coach Ali Schuenke said.
Madilyn Fisher, sr., Prairie du Chien/Fennimore
Placed seventh in the all-around at the Division 2 state meet last season. Also placed fourth on the vault, ninth on floor exercise and 10th on balance beam. Was first-team all-state on vault.
“Madilyn has a huge heart and wants everyone on the team to be successful, not just herself,” coach Alex Udelhofen said. “She loves to dance and make people laugh. Her bubbly personality makes her floor routines exciting to watch.”
Kaylee Frank, jr., Elkhorn Area
Was third in the all-around at the Division 2 state meet last season. Also was second on floor exercise and uneven bars and 10th on vault. Was first-team all-state on vault.
Alexis Hanson, so., Janesville Craig
Placed 12th in the all-around at the Division 1 state meet. Also earned first-team all-state on uneven bars.
Grace Hibler, so., Franklin/Muskego
Placed 10th in the all-around at the Division 1 state meet. Also placed 10th on the vault. Earned second-team all-state on vault.
Ellie Johnson, sr., Franklin/Muskego
Placed third on the vault at the Division 1 state meet. Also placed fourth on uneven bars and sixth on balance beam. Was first-team all-state on uneven bars.
Isabell Korn, jr., Westby/Viroqua/Cashton/De Soto co-op
Was sixth in the all-around at the Division 2 state meet last season. Also placed fifth on the balance beam, 11th on vault and 13th on uneven bars. Was first-team all-state in the all-around.
“She is a wonderful individual, gymnast and teammate,” coach Tiffany Jothen said. “She pushes herself but also is so willing to help others on her team and cheer them on. Isabell is willing to try new things and strives at being her best. These qualities will help set her apart from her peers.”
Ava Krista, jr., Chippewa Falls/McDonell
Placed eighth on the uneven bars, 12th on vault and 15th in the all-around at the Division 1 state meet last season. Was second-team all-state on uneven bars.
Anna Messner, sr., Verona/Edgewood
Placed fifth in the all-around at the Division 1 state meet. Also placed fifth on balance beam, 11th on uneven bars and 12th on vault. Was first-team all-state on uneven bars.
Erica Miner, jr., Whitnall/Oak Creek
Placed sixth in the all-around at the Division 1 state meet. Also placed fifth on the vault and sixth on uneven bars. Was first-team all-state on vault.
“She is a true all-around gymnast and really doesn't have a weak event,” coach Katie Moore said.
Leah Pereira, sr., Franklin/Muskego
Was first-team all-state on uneven bars last season and finished seventh in the event at the Division 1 state meet.
Mel Princl, sr., West Bend West
Was eighth in the all-around at the Division 2 state meet last season. Also placed sixth on the balance beam and sixth on the floor exercise. Was second-team all-state in the all-around.
Abby Roecker, jr., Waupun
Finished second in the all-around at the Division 2 state meet last season. Was also the state champion on the balance beam (9.267). Also placed seventh on floor exercise, eighth on the vault and 10th on uneven bars. Was first-team all-state in the all-around.
“Abby’s fierce determination and athletic ability are what set her apart. She doesn’t let fear of a new skill stand in her way of achieving her goals, and that combined with her natural strength, flexibility and power help her excel in vault, beam and floor,” coach Emily Engelhardt said. “She is working hard on bars also to up her all-around scores.”
Annika Rufenacht, sr., Verona/Edgewood
Was the Division 1 state champion in the all-around last season (38.100). Also tied for first on balance beam (9.517), finished first on uneven bars (9.483), was second on vault and fourth on floor exercise. Was first-team all-state in the all-around.
Morgan Siekert, sr., West Salem
Placed 13th in the all-around at the Division 2 state meet last season while competing for Viroqua co-op. Also placed fourth on the vault and seventh on the balance beam and uneven bars. Was first-team all-state in the all-around.
Kaylee Stoeger, sr., Franklin/Muskego
Placed third in the all-around at the Division 1 state meet last season. Also placed second in the floor exercise, fifth on uneven bars, and eighth on vault and balance beam. Was first-team all-state in the all-around.
Denise Ta, sr., Verona/Edgewood
Tied with Rufenacht for first place on balance beam at the Division 1 state meet with a 9.517. Also placed 13th on the uneven bars. Was second-team all-state on balance beam.
Ryann Wesley, sr., Whitefish Bay
Placed 11th in the all-around at the Division 2 state meet last season. Also placed third on the balance beam and 14th on the uneven bars.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Wisconsin's best high school girls gymnasts
