Gary Post-Tribune
CHESTERTON â??? It was a big day Feb. 24 for third-ranked Chesterton
at the Duneland Athletic
Conference Tournament. The Trojans won
their first DAC championship since back-to-back wins in 2002-03 and had two
athletes take the top two individual all-around scores.
Chesterton took an early lead in the meet and held on to
it, in spite of a strong performance by No. 4 Valparaiso, which challenged them for the top
spot throughout the day. Chesterton managed to withstand the Vikingsâ?? challenge
to win the title by 1.875 points, 111.875a to 111.00.
Coming in third place was ninth-ranked Crown
Point (106.475), followed by No. 12 Merrillville
(104.9), No. 15 LaPorte (103.5), and 14th-ranked Portage (101.55). Michigan
City placed seventh with 100.425 points, while Lake Central
(91.775) took eighth.
â??It was a lot of fun,â? said Chesterton coach Kathy
Wilburn. â??These kids did really well. They practiced together as a team and, as
far as placement goes, I don’t think they know where we were all day because
they were so focused.â?
The Trojans came into the meet without one of their top
all-around gymnasts, freshman Megan Erminger, who did not compete due to
illness. The decision to not have her compete was made by Wilburn on Friday
night.
â??We missed having her out there today, but the team really
stepped up,â? Wilburn said. â??I know she wishes she could have competed today,
but I know that she is also just as proud of these girls today as I am.â?
Leading the Trojans was freshman Kelley Freeman, who was
second in the vault, second in uneven bars, second in balance beam, first in
floor exercise, and first for in the all-around. Chesterton’s Juliana Weaver took
third in floor and tied for second in all-around with Crown Point’s Trisha Eberly.
Taking first in the vault was Chesterton’s Bailey
Huddelston, while teammate Callie Kuehl won the uneven bars. In the balance
beam, Valparaiso’s
Emily Holman came out on top.
â??It was just fun being with the team and cheering everyone
on,â? said Freeman. â??I didn’t feel any pressure (with Erminger out). I just feel
bad that she’s not competing today.
â??I just concentrated on everything I had to do and just
stayed warmed up.â?
So
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