Gymnastics team improves score over previous meet
By Kevin Cunningham
Sports Correspondent
On Dec. 8, the Whitewater wrestling team took to the mats and faced Janesville Craig in Whitewater. Despite being at home, the Whippets lost, 46-18.
The Whippets had four wrestlers win their individual matches – Tyler Gamble in the 106-pound weight class, Jose Villegas in the 113-pound weight class, Jimmy DuVal in the 182-pound weight class and Adrian Casillas in the 195-pound weight class.
Gamble and Villegas won their matches, 6-0, while DuVal and Casillas came out victorious with 3-0 scores. Janesville Craig won 10 matches overall compared to the Whippets’ four.
In the team’s next meet, an invitational also held at Whitewater High School on Dec. 12 featuring 11 teams, the Whippets earned a fourth-place finish. Of the 12 weight classes filled by the Whippets, six earned medals.
DuVal was the top-place winner, losing in overtime in the finals, 2-1.
“I thought he wrestled a very good match and just came up short,” Whippets head coach John Schimming said. “He showed some great things throughout the day on his way to the finals.”
Gamble, Jameson Hutchins, Tommy Cushman, Jimmy Cushman and Thomas McManaway each came away with third-place (bronze) finishes. Fourth-place finishers included Jamison Quass, wrestling in his first varsity tournament, Michael Fernandez and Ismael Barajas.
Schimming talked about how proud he was of each of his wrestlers, as well as the people who made the event as special as it was.
“Thank you also to the wrestling parents,” Schimming said. “Especially Shannon Cushman, for helping make the tournament a success and making it a great experience for all.”
The Whippets’ next challenge is East Troy, which is set for a 7 p.m. start on Thursday at Whitewater High School.
“This is a tough team that is an important stepping stone to the conference championship for both squads,” Schimming said. “The student-athletes invite the community out to show support and get behind them in this RVC dual meet.”
Gymnastics
The Whippets’ gymnastics team competed on Saturday at the Craig Invitational and finished with 110.1 total points, three points higher than their previous team score. Kelly O’Hara placed first out of 40 gymnasts on the floor.
“For this early in the season, her floor routine is looking great,” Whippets head coach Jennifer Galbrecht said. “She still has a lot more difficulty to add into her routines but she is definitely on her way to having an outstanding senior year.
“Amanda Kraayvanger continues to impress and contribute immensely to the team score. After a last minute injury by one of the girls on floor, she stepped up to the plate and had her best routine ever. She continues to be a positive leader and the coaching staff has been so impressed with her this year.”
The team’s next meet is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 against Waterford at Waterford High School.
