Packer gymnasts take second
Published 9:26 pm Sunday, December 5, 2010
Austin's Abby Bickler performs on the balance beam Saturday during the Austin Packer Invitational at the YMCA. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin gymnastics team took second place out of eight teams at the Winter Warm-up at the Austin YMCA Saturday.
The Packers finished with a team score of 131.150 and Farmington won the meet with a 135.800.
Austin came into the meet after an intense practice Friday due to scoring a team low of 125 last Thursday.
Austin's Casidy Bawek rushes over to hug assistant coach Kate Schoonover after completing her balance beam routine Saturday during the Austin Packers Invitational at the YMCA. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“We realized that this year was going to be about how much our team can grow, but we thought we were a little further along than (Thursday’s score),” Austin head coach Mark Raymond said. “We talked before Friday’s practice and the girls really responded. While our score was good enough for second, it was still a little below where we wanted to be at this point in the season. I think the girls will respond next week.”
Abby Bickler took fifth all-around for the Packers as she was sixth on the beam, ninth on the bars, and 10th on the floor.
Cassidy Bawek, a sophomore, led Austin on the beam with an 8.1 score that was good for fourth.
“ Cassidy looked really good for the first tournament of the year,” Raymond said. “I am excited about what she will be able to add to an already solid routine.”
Carolyn Hackel came through with a third place finish on the vault.
“Carolyn looked like she did at the end of last season,” Raymond said. “She picked up right where she left off. This is going to be a big year for our young girls as they push each other and begin to earn higher and higher scores.”
Raymond is looking forward to the rest of the season after what he’s seen so far.
“I have coached for a couple years now and I can safely say the team this year has the right chemistry grow together into a amazing group,” he said. “I look forward to each day in the gym and can’t wait for to see the progress this great group of girls will make.”
AUSTIN RESULTS
Vault: Carolyn Hackel (third, 8.85); Logan Tischer (seventh, 8.600); Abby Snater (eighth, 8.55)
Bars: Hackel (seventh, 7.800); Abby Bickler (ninth, 7.75)
Beam: Cassidy Bawek (fourth, 8.100); Bickler (sixth, 8.000)
Floor: Bickler (10th, 8.900)
All-Around: Bickler (fifth, 32.950); Bawek (ninth, 32.600)
