By TR HARLAN

The old adage is that the glass is either half full or half empty.

The Chesterton gymnastics team will have to look back at Saturday’s IHSAA State Finals and decide for themselves.

The Trojans finished fifth overall with a 109.00 team score at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis. Top-ranked Valparaiso won the state title with a 114.225 to edge second place Columbus North (112.125).

“It was definitely a roller-coaster today,” Chesterton coach Kathy Wilburn said. “It’s disappointing for the kids because I see what they do in practice day after day.”

The Trojans drew a tough starting point as they headed to the beam for their opening rotation and it was far from the start they wanted.

Chesterton stuck just one routine, a 9.20 by sophomore Kelley Freeman, and totaled just 25.70 points.

“After the beam, we could have gotten really down and given up on the whole meet,” Wilburn said. “We talked about how we knew there would be mistakes throughout the day. How you react to those shows your true character.”

Chesterton turned to senior Allana Kozicynski to get things turned around and she delivered a solid floor routine.

“Before she went out there, I told her that this was how she was going to remember her career,” Wilburn said. “She’s a senior and it was her job to get us started in the right direction. She did a great job.”

Things took off from there as Elizabeth Kozak posted a 9.175, just ahead of a 9.65 by Freeman. Callie Kuehl finished the rotation with a 9.675 as the Trojans posted a 28.5 team score. Kuehl’s score was good for third overall.

“They came back fighting,” Wilburn said. “They made up all the tenth’s they lost on the beam on the floor. I’m so proud of them for that.

“That was the best I’ve seen all four girls do on the floor this year.”

The roll got even better when the Trojans went to the vault.

“Our floor set and our vault set were just awesome,” Wilburn said.

Bailey Huddleston started the vault with an impressive 9.35, while Kuehl followed with a 9.475. Marissa Crafton scored a 9.425 and Freeman’s 9.70 was good for fifth overall.

“Kelley’s vault was beautiful and she deserved every point in that 9.7,” Wilburn said. “Every kid did their best vault of the year.”

The Trojans sat in third place overall after three rotations as they headed to their best event – the bars.

“I was really surprised because I thought we were in really good position heading into the last rotation,” Wilburn said. “I’m not sure why it wasn’t there, but sometimes it’s just not.

“They’re 15, 16 and 17 year old kids. This year it just wasn’t in the cards for us.”

The Trojans weren’t able to post anything higher than an 8.95 by Freeman as Center Grove and Ft. Wayne Bishop Dwenger put big numbers up to jump ahead of Chesterton in the team points race.

“We were so consistent on beam all week and we hit all of our bar routines in practice,” Wilburn said. “To not perform up to our potential is disappointing. We know in our hearts that we were capable of a big score. We just couldn’t put it all together on one day.”

Freeman was the top performer in the All-Around competition for the Trojans with a 10th place finish (37.50).

“It’s heartbreaking for her that she didn’t quite finish it,” Wilburn said. “She was having such a great day. She deserves the best. Kelley’s as hard a worker as I’ve ever had.”

Valparaiso’s Kellie Kidd won the All-Around competition (38.60).

“We’re obviously disappointed, but I’m not disappointed in the kids,” Wilburn said. “I’m disappointed for them. They’ve done everything I’ve asked of them.

“To get edged out by one-tenth of a point doesn’t mean that we aren’t one of the top teams in the State.”

Team Results

1. Valparaiso, 114.225; 2. Columbus North, 112.125; 3. Center Grove, 110.30; 4. FW Bishop Dwenger, 109.10; 5. Chesterton, 109.00; 6. FW Concordia Lutheran, 106.75; 7. Lawrence Central, 105.90; 8. Noblesville, 99.125.

Individual Results

Floor – 1. Jessica Leko (Lawrence Central), 9.8; 2. Kellie Kidd (Valparaiso), 9.7; 3. Callie Kuehl (Chesterton), 9.675; 4. Alicia Roche (FW Bishop Dwenger), 9.675; 5. Caitlyn Catania (Hagerstown), 9.675; 6. Katelyn Fernandes (Center Grove), 9.65; 7. Kelley Freeman (Chesterton), 9.65; 8. Hannah Osborn (FW Concordia Lutheran), 9.575; 9. Chrissy Day (Columbus North), 9.575; 10. Emily Holmen (Valparaiso), 9.575.

Beam – 1. Kellie Kidd (Valparaiso), 9.725; 2. Camille Hayes (Lawrence Central), 9.675; 3. Caitlyn Catania (Hagerstown), 9.575; 4. Kaylene Wagner (Hobart), 9.55; 5. Alicia Roche (FW Bishop Dwenger), 9.525; 6. Katelyn Fernandes (Center Grove), 9.525; 7. Chrissy Day (Columbus North), 9.40; 8. Caitlin Radke (FW Carroll), 9.375; 9. Hannah Osborn (FW Concordia Lutheran), 9.275; 10. Nikki McCracken (Western), 9.275.

Bars – 1. Camille Hayes (Lawrence Central), 9.675; 2. Abbey Sutton (Valparaiso), 9.675; 3. Amber Weber (Columbus East), 9.625; 4. Allison Franklin (Columbus East), 9.55; 5. Alicia Roche (FW Bishop Dwenger), 9.50; 6. Hannah Osborn (FW Concordia Lutheran), 9.50; 7. Kellie Kidd (Valparaiso), 9.475; 8. Tessa Lane (Columbus North), 9.40; 9. Jessica Leko (Lawrence Central), 9.40; 10. Katherine Rawley (Valparaiso), 9.40.

Vault – 1. (tie) Katelyn Fernandes (Center Grove) and Abbey Sutton (Valparaiso), 9.825; 3. Amber Weber (Columbus East), 9.80; 4. Hannah Osborn (FW Concordia Lutheran), 9.75; 5. Kelley Freeman (Chesterton), 9.70; 6. Caitlyn Catania (Hagerstown), 9.70; 7. Kellie Kidd (Valparaiso), 9.70; 8. Cassie Funcheon (Columbus North), 9.70; 9. Camille Hayes (Lawrence Central), 9.65; 10. Katie Cragun (Eastbrook), 9.65.

All-Around – 1. Kellie Kidd (Valparaiso), 38.60; 2. Camille Hayes (Lawrence Central), 38.50; 3. Katelyn Fernandes (Center Grove), 38.35; 4. Hannah Osborn (FW Concordia Lutheran), 38.10; 5. (tie) Abbey Sutton (Valparaiso) and Alicia Roche (FW Bishop Dwenger), 38.075; 7. Chrissy Day (Columbus North), 37.95; 8. Amber Weber (Columbus East), 9.425; 9. Jessica Leko (Lawrence Central), 37.55; 10. Kelley Freeman (Chesterton), 37.50.

Posted 3/17/2008