Gymnastics extra: Portage ends Valpo’s lengthy unbeaten streak

Timeout extra

Portage ends
Valpo’s lengthy
unbeaten streak

PORTAGE — Last year, Portage head coach Karen Barcelli had to convince her gymnasts that they were state contenders. This year, the gymnasts appear to be taking it upon themselves to prove that fact to everyone else, as the Indians are undefeated this year.

But no statement was bigger than the one Portage made last Wednesday, as Portage knocked off top-ranked Valparaiso in a dual meet. The Vikings had been riding an unbeaten regular season streak that dated back several years, but the Indians outscored their DAC rivals 112.475-112.250 to capture the event.

Mackenzie Barcelli (37.9), Danielle Solis (37.3) and Madison Kurtz (37.225) went 2-3-4, respectively, in all-around to help secure the victory.

The only remaining obstacle between Portage and a perfect regular season is Chesterton, currently the seventh-ranked team in the state of Indiana. The Trojans travel to Portage for a dual meet tomorrow night.

P-t Top 3

1. Portage

2. Valparaiso

3. Crown Point

Gymnast
of the Week

Hannah Sightes,
LaPorte

At Saturday’s Slicers’ Sweetheart Invitational, Sightes won on bars ( 9.0), beam (9.1), floor (9.3) and all-around (36.8), as LaPorte posted a meet-high score of 106.950 to win the event.

— By Dave Melton,
correspondent