March 11, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.
Four RHS gymnasts honored for high marks
Four RHS gymnasts honored for high marks
Seniors Lilli Bishop and Bridget Koser, along with freshman Alexa Lukes, received awards for surpassing 30.0 in the all-around at least once during the season. The same three, along with sophomore Payton Rudawski, were also recognized for achieving a score of 8.0 or higher in at least one event during the year.
Those highlighted the awards handed out at the event. Other awards were presented for other achievements, such as personal-best scores in the all-around or specific apparatus.
"We got away from most valuable, most dedicated as far as team awards," coach Heather Sturtevant explained during the banquet. "Really, the way gymnastics is, yes we are a team, but we're also individuals. We want to celebrate your achievement. A lot of what we have up here is really just looking at that and rewarding your accomplishments, because you had to put in the work."
In addition to being part of the Hodags' 30.0 club, Bishop, Koser and Lukes all were part of the 8.0 club in multiple events this year.
Bishop surpassed 30 in the all-around on a number of occasions during the season, with a high-score of 31.55 set Feb. 18 at sectionals in Rhinelander. She also posted her first 8.0 score on balance beam during that event, placing fourth and qualifying for the WIAA state tournament. Bishop also bettered the 8.0 mark on vault (8.3) and floor (8.55) this year.
Koser's season high in the all-around was a 30.05 set in a Great Northern Conference Small-Large crossover dual against Antigo Jan. 21. She earned an 8.0 on floor that night and had an 8.0 on vault earlier in the season. Lukes got her season-high of 30.575 at the GNC meet in Medford Feb. 13. She posted a season highs on vault (8.35) in that competition and then set a season-high of 8.15 on floor at sectionals.
"This was something that these girls were really working, to try to get that 30, get that higher and they surpassed it," Sturtevant said.
Rudawski scored an 8.2 on vault during the GNC meet.
Bishop received personal best medals in all four events, as well as the all-around, leading the list of six RHS gymnasts who recorded at least one personal best this season. Koser set personal bests in three events, plus the all-around, Leta Cole had three personal bests, while Rudawski, Julia Burke and Genna Fugle all had two personal bests.
Sturtevant took time toward the end of the banquet to recognize Bishop and Koser as the team's captains this year as they completed their careers in the Rhinelander gymnastics program.
"The team is going to be real different for me without these two ladies," Sturtevant said. "We've both talked about how very proud we are of you two. You have been very good captains. You have led by example. You have been supportive of the whole team even if you're not having a great day that day. You've been able to lead with grace, even with you've been a little stressed. I think you've been phenomenal role models to our girls."
In addition to being team captains, Sturtevant said both Koser and Bishop will be recognized as Academic All-State by the Wisconsin High School Gymnastics Coaches Association. Bishop will receive gold recognition with a cumulative GPA of 4.108, while Koser will receive silver recognition with a 3.9 GPA.
Sturtevant said Bishop and Lukes were in consideration for honorable mention all-state honors from the WHSGCA for their performances on vault and all-around, respectively. Sturtevant said the WHSGCA would announce the final award winners later this month.
Seven members of the squad - Bishop, Koser, Burke, Cole, Rudawski, Lukes and freshman Emma Chiamulera - received varsity letters, earned by competing on varsity in more than half of the Hodags' competitions this season.
Rhinelander finished second in the GNC Small division behind powerhouse Medford. The Hodags had a season-high score of 119.475 at the conference meet and finished fourth out of nine teams at sectionals with a 119.35.
"We have so much to be proud of as a team," Sturtevant said. "Some days, maybe you didn't have your best meet, but you could put on that supportive face. You could still be graceful, support the rest of your team, and that's why we did as well as we did. I really am very proud of that with this team."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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