The expectations were a little higher, but the Chesterton Trojans aren’t giving back their fourth place finish at the IHSAA State Finals at Ball State’s Worthen Arena.

It marks the second consecutive fourth place finish for the Trojans as they posted a 109.875 team score. Valparaiso captured its fourth consecutive state title (112.725), followed by Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (112.025) and Columbus North (110.675).

“We came in with a little higher expectation,” Chesterton head coach Kathy Wilburn said. “Our vault was amazing, but we weren’t able to put all four events together. But, I couldn’t ask for more out of the kids. I was please with their attitude and effort.

“Fourth in the State is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Freshman Brandi Tuzinski claimed Chesterton’s only medal of the meet with a fourth place finish on vault (9.575) with her Yurchenko Pike.

“It’s really cool,” Tuzinski said. “I was real surprised. Actually, I was expecting everyone to be 10 times better than me. I’ve been practicing it and finally it really clicked.”

Emily Kozak just missed a medal in vault, missing out on a tiebreaker for sixth with a 9.55. The Trojans totalled 28.175 on vault during their first rotation including 9.05 scores from Alex O’Brien and Lauren Weibl.

“We got off to a great start on the vault,” Wilburn said. “That’s been a strength for us all year. To have all four girls hit like that and score above 9 is just great.”

In their second rotation, the Trojans were led by O’Brien with an 8.95 on bars. She was followed by Samantha Wilburn (8.75), Emily Kozak (8.5) and Tuzinski (8.5).

The third rotation of the day for Chesterton came on the beam where Elizabeth Kozak scored a team-best 9.30. The performance completed a perfect season for Kozak that didn’t include a fall all season.

“I can tell you not that she didn’t fall on beam all season,” Wilburn said. “That shows her consistency. I don’t know if that has ever happened in my coaching career before. It’s incredible.”

Other scores for the Trojans on beam included 9.025 from Wilburn, 8.775 from Tuzinski and 8.65 from Emily Kozak.

On the floor, Elizabeth Kozak fell just short of the Trojans second medal with a seventh place finish (9.55). Wilburn followed with a 9.475 with Emily Kozak (9.375) and Marisa Myers (9.1) rounding out the scoring.

“They’re a great group of girls,” Wilburn said. “I’m real proud of them. The thing about them, you might knock them down, but they get right back up. They might fall, but they get back up and finish the rest of their routines.

“They never quit. I love ‘em.”

1. Valparaiso, 112.725; 2. FW Dwenger, 112.025; 3. Columbus North, 110.675; 4. Chesterton, 109.875; 5. Indianapolis Roncalli, 107.725; 6. FW Northrop, 106.6; 7. Hagerstown, 105.8; 8. Franklin Central, 105.2.

VAULT -- 1. Steffanie Long (Valparaiso), 38.325; 2. Morgan Algozine (Valparaiso), 9.65; 3. Danielle Solis (Portage), 9.60; 4. Brandi Tuzinski (Chesterton), 9.575; 5. Mackenzie Barcelli (Portage), 9.575; 6. Cassie Schultheis (Roncalli), 9.55; 7. Emily Kozak (Chesterton), 9.55; 36. (tie) Alex O'Brien (Chesterton) and Lauren Weibl (Chesterton), 9.05.

BARS -- 1. Morgan Algozine (V), 9.675; 2. Katie Schultheis (Roncalli), 9.625; 3. Jessica Baker (Huntington North), 9.625; 4. Cassie Schultheis (Roncalli), 9.475; 5. Steffanie Long (Valparaiso), 9.475; 6. Ashlan Milikan (New Castle), 9.475; 18. Alex O'Brien (Chesterton), 8.95; 25. Samantha Wilburn (Chesterton), 8.75; 30. Emily Kozak (Chesterton), 8.5; 31. Brandi Tuzinski (Chesterton), 8.5.

BEAM -- 1. Jessica Baker (FW Northrop), 9.625; 2. Abaigale Light (LaPorte), 9.45; 3. Tessa Lane (Columbus North), 9.45; 4. Cassidy Feldsein (Washington Twp.), 9.45; 5. Brittany Trahin (FW Bishop Dwenger), 9.45; 6. Morgan Kline (Logansport), 9.40; 11. Elizabeth Kozak (Chesterton), 9.3; 18. Samantha Wilburn (Chesterton), 9.025; 20. Brandi Tuzinski (Chesterton), 8.775; 30. Emily Kozak (Chesterton), 8.65.

FLOOR -- 1. Steffanie Long (Valparaiso), 9.85; 2. Morgan Algozine (Valparaiso), 9.725; 3. Brittany Trahin (FW Bishop Dwenger), 9.70; 4. Cassie Schultheis (Roncalli), 9.675; 5. Haley Fugate (Jeffersonville), 9.65; 6. Tessa Lane (Columbus North), 9.575; 8. Elizabeth Kozak (Chesterton), 9.55; 15. Samantha Wilburn (Chesterton), 9.475; 19. Emily Kozak (Chesterton), 9.375; 31. Marisa Myers (Chesterton), 9.1.

ALL-AROUND -- 1. Steffanie Long (Valparaiso), 38.325; 2. Brittany Trahin (FW Bishop Dwenger), 38.1; 3. Morgan Algozine (Valparaiso), 37.95; 4. Brittany Pond (Oak Hill), 37.7; 5. Cassie Schultheis (Roncalli), 37.6; 6. Jessica Baker (Huntington North), 37.475; 18. Emily Kozak (Chesterton), 36.075.

Posted 3/21/2011