By its very nature, gymnastics is an up and down sport, but Farmington's 2011-12 campaign fit the description more than usual.
"Injuries and illness made it that kind of year," Tiger coach Lynn Bauman said, "but with such a large team I think we managed our time well and successfully.
"We developed many new and interesting skills that had everyone talking. It was always fun to go to meets where people hadn't seen us. I received a lot of compliments about the girls."
Thirteen Tigers earned varsity letter this winter, including three seniors: Jade Alm, Brianna Ruiz and Leah Rohde.
Underclassmen winning letters included juniors Nadia Lorencz, Kiana Lord and Taylor Schmaltz; sophomore Kathryn Beckett; freshmen Kylie Wharton and Maddie Timerson; eighth-graders Sidney Comes, Racquel Beckett and Mackenzie McCuddin and seventh-grader Rachel Kiminski.
Lorencz had an outstanding junior season, qualifying for the Class AA state meet in three individual events and all-around. At state she finished second in vault, breaking her own school record in the process.
"Nadia also broke our school floor exercise record at the conference meet," Bauman said.
Lorencz finished the season with team-high scores in vault (9.8); bars (9.175), floor exercise (9.8) and balance beam (9.325).
Bauman said that the steady stream of illness and injuries was one of the biggest disappointments of the season, a factor that no doubt kept the team score down from early season expectations.
"All of the injuries and illness made it difficult for us to have a full squad," she said.
"I was also disappointed with how we fell apart as a team on the bars and beam at the sections, especially after we looked so good on floor and vault."
The Tiger coach said she is looking forward to next season with the core of the varsity team returning.
"It will be good to get Tarah Eckert (elbow injury) back on the varsity," she said. "The girls are prepared to work hard in the off-season to raise their skill difficulty which will enhance their competition level."
