Injuries, weather hampered team

By Dean Wong

The Ballard Beavers gymnastics team has been dealing with injuries and the weather, but the squad is expected to finish their season on a strong note.

Both sophomore Johanna Juarez (knee) and senior Jayna Lehman (wrist) have taken time off to get healthy.

The team has only participated in three meets so far thanks to mother nature. "It's been difficult with all the snow days," said Lehman.

Despite the weather, head coach Stephanie Gundel had the team practicing, adding some weekend sessions.

"The post season is coming up really soon, especially since we have missed a lot of meets that have been canceled. We have to make those up and get ready for the post season in two weeks," said Lehman.

Juarez has been emerging as a gymnast, winning first place in three categories during a meet against Lake Washington and Roosevelt on January 4.

Juarez was first in the All-Around scores with 35.5. She was first in the bars with 8.8 points, second in the floor at 9.0 and first in the beam with 9.4. In the vault, Juarez was fourth with 8.3 points.

Juarez says she is hard on herself. "It takes me time to realize I have improved. In the long run, I'm improving a little bit," she said.

Lehman was the winner in the vault with 8.8 points. Lehman was third in the bars (8.1) and beam 9.0 and third in the floor at 8.7.

Beaver gymnast Emma Bowen had three impressive performances. They included the third in the vault at 8.4, and fourth place in the bars at 7.1, beam at 7.6 and all-around at 30.1.

"Our freshman (Bowen) has stepped up. She has been working real hard," said Lehman.

The Beavers did well as a team, winning the team competition 152.2 to Lake Washington's 134.9 and Roosevelt's 116.

Ballard found Inglemoor at tougher opponent on Jan. 9, taking second place to the Vikings. Inglemoor won the meet with a score of 153.9, Ballard was second at 143.6 and Juanita had 134.

Lehman took third in the bars with a 7.8 score. She was also second in the beam at 8.3.

Juniors Audra McCafferty and the team's Co-Captain Becca Morse are also performing well for Ballard. Lehman is the other co-captain.

The team is smaller than in previous seasons.

"We're a smaller team. It does not mean we are not as good. It makes us more focused," said Juarez.

The Beavers have a meet against Roosevelt and Eastlake at Roosevelt on Jan. 25, as they prepare for the KingCo Meet at Woodinville on Feb. 3. The Regional Meet is at Sammamish High on Feb. 10 and State is in Tacoma on Feb. 16 and 17.

Dean Wong may be reached at dino@robinsonnews.com