Injuries undercut the efforts of the Emporia High gymnastics team on Saturday at Lawrence Free State, and the Spartans finished fourth out of five teams.
EHS posted a team score of 61.175. Ashley Wheeler recorded Emporia’s only personal best, doing so on the vault with a score of 7.25. Kaitlyn Miller recorded the Spartans’ best score on the vault with an 8.3, and Madison Reiber had a 7.6.
During a warmup on the vault, Haley Risley rolled her ankle on the dismount, ending her day after she had competed in just one event. Maranda Rust didn’t make the trip to Lawrence because of a knee injury, and Kylie Mains had broken skin on her hands practicing on the uneven bars last Thursday, keeping her from competing in that event.
“So we didn't have full scores on our events,” Emporia coach Barbara Clark said. “We just need other team members to step up and compete on other events so when we do have injuries we can have others that can step up to score for us.”
On bars, Kristina McAuley scored a 3.85, and Miller scored a 3.1. Miller led the Spartans on beam with a score of 6.65. Also on beam, Alex Allen had a 5.95, McAuley scored a 5.15, Mains posted a 4.65 and Brenda Del Alba had a 4.6. Wheeler posted a 6.775 on floor, and Risley scored a 6.55.
Shawnee Mission Northwest won the meet with 100.70 points. Free State was second at 98.60, Newton finished third with 98.45, and Lawrence High finished behind the Spartans with a score of 56.05.
Clark would like to see the Spartans get some time to rest, but they travel to Olathe North on Tuesday. Then comes the resting time.
“We are looking forward to a break to heal our injuries and get other gymnasts to practice other events,” she said. “We will have a week-and-a-half before the Newton Invitational, and I would like to be ready to compete with some rest in between meets. I know this team has potential to be competitive, but with just a little bit of time and practice we will finally see what we have.”
Saturday at Lawrence Free State
Team scores
Shawnee Mission Northwest 100.70, Lawrence Free State 98.60, Newton 98.45, Emporia 61.175, Lawrence High 56.05.
Emporia results
Vault
Ashley Wheeler, 7.25
Madison Reiber, 7.6
Kaitlyn Miller, 8.3
Bars
Kristina McAuley, 3.85
Kaitlyn Miller, 3.1
Beam
Brenda Del Alba, 4.6
Kylie Mains, 4.65
Kristina McAuley, 5.15
Kaitlyn Miller, 6.65
Alex Allen, 5.95
Floor
Haley Risley, 6.55
Ashley Wheeler, 6.775