Co-op gymnasts edge Burlington again as competition heats up

Muskego - They simply couldn't be any closer in terms of team makeup and that is probably just a small indicator of things to come for the likely season-long rivalry between the Franklin-Muskego-Oak Creek-Whitnall girls gymnastics team and the Burlington/Badger/Wilmot co-op.

For the second straight week, FMOW edged Burlington in a major meet, this time by a 147.725-147.7 count in the Green Division competition at the Madison Memorial Invitational on Saturday.

"It's a similar situation to last year," said FMOW coach Katie Moore. "Neither team can afford to look past the other. I think that 0.025 of a point is the smallest margin possible, and both teams are a little tired from competing twice a week.

"Still, this was a nice meet. It allows us to go over a few things and fine-tune some certain events."

FMOW and BBW, which went one-two, respectively, at last year's WIAA State Division 1 meet, were a good 10 points clear of the rest of the competition at Madison. And as it was about three weeks ago at the Westosha Invite, BBW dominated the individual competition, winning four of the five events (including all-around), while FMOW used its depth to claim the team title.

Precise places were not available but Moore highlighted several performances, as on floor exercise Lauren Zurowski of Whitnall turned in a 9.525 mark ("I think that was the 0.25 that won us the meet," quipped Moore) while Sammie Olson of Muskego had a 9.5.

Olson also led the way on balance beam with a 9.4, as FMOW took no falls in the event.

Vault was also good for the team as Zurowski turned in a 9.35 while Sam Balcerak of Muskego turned in a 9.2 despite touching her hands to the mat, which is an automatic 0.5 deduction. Sophomore Lexi Bell made her varsity debut this season on vault and turned in a 9.0 score.

"It's always nice to have another vaulter," said Moore of Bell.

On uneven bars, Alyssa Behrendt of Muskego topped the team with a 9.35.

"Things are going to start happening quickly," said Moore. "We're working hard on turning in some cleaner routines."