By Jessica Johnson

Walled Lake Central’s women’s gymnastics team took on combined teams from WL Northern/Western, Lakeland/Milford A and Lakeland/Milford B in a four-team meet at Milford High School on December 3. Though they worked hard, Central placed fourth place behind Lakeland/Milford A, who took first, Northern/Western who took second, and Lakeland/Milford B, who took third .

Sophomore Meghan Coden explained how the team plans to improve for the next competition. “We are going to work harder in practice to clean up our performance to get higher scores,” she said. Coden is an all-around competitor, meaning she participates in all four events: floor, vault, bars, and beam. “When you’re competing, you just have to focus on staying calm and collected, and supporting your teammates,” she added.

Fellow sophomore Jeana Marquardt also competed last Saturday in the bars, vault, and beam. Although she did not compete in floor, Marquardt said the floor is her favorite routine to perform, and she will be competing all-around in the next competition. “I love floor because I love tumbling.” she said.  

Although the girls took fourth, senior Delaney Gawenda said she thinks it was a great kick off to the season. “We all worked hard, and I really feel like we are one as a team. It was our first meet, and although I feel that there is room for improvement, I feel like it will be a good and successful season for us,” Gawenda said.

Outside of preparing for meets, the team in already bonding together as one. Marquardt explained how, although the season just started, “Every PLC we go to Leo’s, we will go to Applebee’s, and have sleepovers.”