Post-Tribune gymnastics all-area team

Updated: April 25, 2011 6:22AM

First Team

Steffanie Long

Valparaiso

By the numbers: The junior was crucial in the Vikings' history-making fourth straight state crown. Not only did she lead the all-around scoring, but in doing so, Long won the vault and floor at the state meet.

Raves: At the regional, she posted a gigantic 9.9 score on the floor routine. The score was her career best.

Morgan Algozine

Valparaiso

By the numbers: As a sophomore, Algozine built a strong reputation in region gymnastics. She won the all-around honor at the regional and came in third at the state meet (including her win on the bars).

Raves: Algozine was one of three Vikings that placed a career best (including her score of 9.850) in the floor routine at the regional. Coincidentally, all three went in order and it was the last event.

Abaigale Light

LaPorte

By the numbers: The Slicers junior was key to the squad's first trip to the regional in seven years. Her strongest contribution of the season was the all-around crown at the sectional.

Raves: Light went on to finish 12th among the all-around list at state.

Mackenzie Barcelli

Portage

By the numbers: Being a multi-sport athlete, the sophomore doesn't wilt in big matches. Barcelli placed third in all-around at the sectional, fifth at the regional, and was eighth in the state.

Raves: Barcelli was one of two Portage gymnasts to go on to the state meet.

Cassidy Feldsien

Washington Township

By the numbers: The sophomore is a one-girl team, but that hasn't hurt her success rate. Feldsien was No. 5 in all-around at the sectional, No. 6 at the regional, and placed 17th in her first trip down state.

Raves: Feldsien continues to be a history-maker for Washington Township. While she is the first gymnast in the school's history, her state appearance in 2010-11 also marked a first.

Second Team

Emily Kozak

Chesterton

By the numbers: The sophomore continued to show poise in her second high school season. She finished in the top 10 for the all-around category at the sectional and regional (fourth and seventh) and then placed 20th at the state meet.

Raves: Kozak contributed to the Trojans' narrow upset over Valparaiso at the DAC meet, the Vikings' first loss in four years.

Danielle Solis

Portage

By the numbers: The freshman's all-around scoring reflected years of experience. Solis placed in the top 10 at the sectional and regional (going sixth and eighth) and she made it to state.

Raves: One of two Portage gymnasts to go to the state meet.

Carly Kiran

Crown Point

By the numbers: The junior finished seventh in the all-around scoring at the sectional, but it wasn't enough to advance in that category. Her floor performance surely was. She went to the regional in the floor, finishing 28th.

Raves: The upperclassman posted a strong 9.525 floor score at the sectional, good enough for eighth overall.

Corynn Myres

LaPorte

By the numbers: The senior wanted to prove that she could still compete after a pair of ACL injuries to her left leg halted her junior season and limited her to two events this season. The proof was in the results, tying for first on the beam at the sectional.

Raves: Myres tied Valparaiso's Morgan Algozine with 9.350 for first on the beam at the sectional.

Hannah Sightes

LaPorte

By the numbers: The sophomore was another key performer in LaPorte's successful year with her 11th place all-around effort at the sectional.

Raves: Sightes had a 34.750 all-around score at the sectional.

Honorable Mention

Crown Point - Katelyn Cservenyak; LaPorte - Madelyn Lashinis; Lowell - Malena Hernandez; Merrillville - Chandler Hill, Amy Aponte; Lake Central - Randi Kass, Kaitlyn Moricz; Michigan City - Darci Pedzinski; Hobart - Madlyn Dominguez.

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