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About the only similarity to state gymnastics tournaments of the past was the name.
The place was changed. The equipment was different and the crowd...what crowd?
But it was the WIAA Division 2 state meet and there were gymnasts for River Valley/Barneveld and Dodgeville/Mineral Point/Iowa-Grant competing.
When it was over RV/B junior Larisa Shatrawka won the D2 beam and placed second on bars.
DMPIG freshman Brooklyn Murphy earned 10th on the beam and 14th on bars.
RV/B comments on the venue
"The state meet was quite different this year," said RV/B coach Julie Kuhse. "The venue was a club gym in La Crosse with an unfamiliar brand of equipment. Competitors were allowed two coaches and three spectators. No teammates, no other support. No march in, no hugs of good luck, no crowd anxiously awaiting the final results and podium reveal."
DMPIG comments on the venue
"Like everything else over the past year, the State Meet was not traditional," said DMPIG coach Julia Oellerich. "D1 and D2 were held at separate locations which is different from years past where the gym in Wisconsin Rapids was outfitted to host both divisions at the same time. The State Meet itself was held in two sessions, so instead of eagerly awaiting the results with your teammates and fans, you traveled home to read the results online hours after competing, after the second session had concluded."
Adjustments made
"I wanted the best state experience we could get during this COVID season, not only for Lorisa, but the team as well," said RV/B coach Kuhse. "I set up a meeting room in a hotel near the state meet venue for the team to virtually watch the meet. We invited the Dodgeville Tri-op to join us as Brooklyn Murphy competed the same rounds as Lorisa and it worked well for both teams. I appreciate the comradery between the two teams, and how comfortable they are together. "
RV/B meet scenario
"Individual competitors have the liberty of choosing a personal leo to compete in instead of the team leo," Kuhse said. "Lorisa was decked out in a uniquely designed leo made by Dana Sanftleben and the very first River Valley Gymnastics warmup pants and jacket worn by Coach Kuhse's team in 1977-82."
Getting prepared
"The week before state, Lorisa's practices were focused, and we felt she was in the best position to not only defend her 2019 state beam title, but have a shot at this year's bar title as well." Kuhse said. "We had worked on verbal and mental cues for her to remember the little things in her routines and be more consistent."
"Starting on bars, Lorisa completed the skill she struggled with at sectionals. She hit her handstands and nailed her landing. When her score of 9.45 was flashed, we were ecstatic. It was her career high and felt it was a score that would be in contention for the title. Little did we know that her score would change. "
"Second round was beam. Lorisa was relaxed, having competed so well on bars. She showed off her skill, power, and grace. She was confident and solid. While not her highest score, we felt her 9.2 score would place her, and were happy with her performance."
"As we prepared to leave the venue, we noticed that her bar score was again being shown on the screen, lower than originally flashed. After inquiring with the WIAA meet official and the meet referee, we learned that the judges had decided later that the series of skills Lorisa performed on bars did not meet the criteria to receive credit for bonus points they had given her in her routine. So an hour after her performance, the judges reduced her score by two tenths. Disappointed, we left the meet, concerned as to how this would affect the final outcome. "
"Even though we were watching the second session online, no scores were being shown so the final results were a total surprise for us. Shortly after 8 p.m., the link to the results became active and we found that she had placed second on bars and her adjusted score would not have made a difference in the final placings. Scrolling down, we found that she had not only placed, but had WON the beam competition, defending her 2019 title and becoming the 2021 Division 2 State Beam Champion. Through phone calls, texts and Snapchat, the news traveled fast and within minutes, the RV/B gymnastics community was congratulating and celebrating virtually together."
About Lorisa
"In describing Lorisa - she is committed, focused, goal orientated, and nothing can keep her down," Kuhse started. "She came into the season in a boot and on crutches with a high ankle sprain. Her first meet was February 1. She slowly added skills as her healing allowed. To come that far in such a short time, speaks to her dedication and determination. Her RV/B coaches couldn't be more proud!"
"We don't know what our banquet will look like, but we will be sharing All-Conference, All-State, and All-American information as it becomes available. Stay tuned!"
Making it special for Brooklyn
"Though it wasn't the same as years past and in many ways was a bit more "uneventful" than a traditional state meet, we were still able to make this State appearance special for Brooklyn - and she didn't disappoint during competition," Oellerich said. "A big shout out and thank you to the Ridgeway Fire Department for welcoming Brooklyn home and celebrating her accomplishments with an escort through town!"
At the meet
"Brooklyn stuck her beam routine, with only a minor fault on her dismount, which earned her a 10th place finish, and her second best beam score of the season. With the level of gymnasts that compete at the state meet, being just .25 away from a place on the podium is something to be proud of," Oellerich said.
"Brooklyn also competed very well on bars, catching her release move and sticking her landing for a score of 8.375 and a 14th place finish."
"I'm so proud of Brooklyn for making it to the State Meet and I'm impressed with how well she competed under pressure," Oellerich said. "The State Meet is "the big stage" and it didn't rattle Brooklyn one bit. I'm incredibly grateful that she had this opportunity and I know she will use this experience to help her continue to grow her skills, confidence, and poise as a gymnast."