• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Parker, Craig gymnasts set season hights

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Parker’s Mia Toberman launches during one of her vault attempts during Thursday’s Big Eight Conference dual against Craig. The Cougars defeated the Vikings, 136.95-133.05.

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Craig’s Courtney Pohlman prepares for a routine on the uneven bars during Thursday’s Big Eight meet against Parker. Pohlman finished second in the event with a score of 8.625.

The Janesville Craig-Janesville Parker rivalry produces intense atmospheres in most sports.

When the two teams met in a Big Eight Conference gymnastics meet Thursday, however, competitors from each team cheered for each other.

That might be the reason both teams scored season-highs in points. Craig defeated host Parker, 136.95-133.05, but the scores pleased both coaches.

"All the girls know each other because they work out together in the summer," Craig coach Jean Welch said. "So they do cheer for each other. Plus since it's Parker and Craig, there is a little more motivation.

"It was a fun atmosphere, and it helped us break out of our slump."

Parker coach Cathy Lehmann was encouraged by her team's best score of the season.

"Absolutely I'm upbeat," Lehmann said. "It was really nice that the kids were cheering for each other by name, not just 'Go Parker' or 'Go Craig.'

"There was a comaraderie the whole night. I don't think that can be said about some other (Parker-Craig) sports. They'd be scratching each other's eyeballs out of their sockets."

Ashley Pohlman of Craig won the vault (9.35) and finished second to Parker's Hailey Leisten in the all-around to pace the Cougars.

"She's kind of stepping up the difficulty in some other routines," Welch said.

Welch also was impressed by Ashley McGoey, who won the floor exercise (9.30).

"She's adding some difficulty and cleaning up her routines," Welch said. "She's building on things."

Craig is 4-1 in Big Eight duals.

Leisten won both the uneven bars (8.875) and balance beam (9.65) en route to winning the all-around with a 36.175 total.

"We put up a strong fight," Lehmann said.

The Vikings compete at the Spartan Invitational on Saturday at Madison Memorial. Craig is off until next Thursday when they host Madison Memorial.

CRAIG 136.95, PARKER 133.05

Vault—1. Ashley Pohlman (JC), 9.35; 2. Courtney Pohlman (JC), 8.85; 3. Hailey Leisten (JP), 8.55; 4. Ashley McGoey (JC), 8.425.

Uneven bars—1. Leisten (JP), 8.875; 2. C. Pohlman (JC), 8.625; 3. A. Pohlman (JC), 8.35; 4. Michelle Gagney (JC), 7.825.

Balance beam—1. Leisten (JP), 9.65; 2. McGoey (JC), 9.25; 3. Brecklyn Skaleski (JP), 9.20; 4. (tie). A. Pohlman and C. Pohlman (JC), 8.60.

Floor exercise—1. McGoey (JC), 9.30; 2. Skaleski (JP), 9.125; 3. Leisten (JP), 9.10; 4. A. Pohlman (JC), 8.70.

All-around—1. Leisten (JP), 36.175; 2. A. Pohlman (JC), 35.00; 3. C. Pohlman (JC), 34.50; 4. Skaleski , 33.675.

Junior varsity—Craig 110.10, Parker, 87.65.