Valparaiso continues its domination

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:32AM

Three-time defending state champion Valparaiso is on a roll. After three unbeaten seasons, the Vikings are top ranked and perfect again. Coach Lorie Cook's squad posted state-high scores in back-to-back meets.

Led by all-around champ Morgan Algozine, the Vikings topped 10 teams (four ranked) to keep the Carter Classic title at Fort Wayne Concordia with a state-best 112.975, topping No. 2 Bishop Dwenger by two points.

Valparaiso captured three individual titles among its 10 top-5 finishes. Valparaiso upped the state high to 114 in its next meet, a Jan. 25 rout of Lake Central. The deep Vikings swept top six on three events. They hit 114-plus twice last season. Chesterton jumped to second Saturday with a 111.3 at its invite.

On Thursday, Valparaiso junior Steffanie Long showed she's back from an early season injury by taking vault, floor and all-around vs. Lowell and Hobart. Hannah Erwin won bars with a personal best 9.7, second best in the state (behind Algozine). Vikings own Indiana's top score in all four events and all-around.

Sophomore Algozine tops all gymnasts A-A at 38.725 with Long next at 38.6.

Duneland dominates

As usual the Duneland rules the state in gymnastics.

Unbeaten Valparaiso is ranked No. 1, with the state's top score. Chesterton is No. 4 but should move up after easily winning its own invite with a 111.3 Saturday, second best in the state. LaPorte is No. 5 and Portage is No. 8.

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