Mukwonago/Kettle Moraine finishes fifth at Nordy Invite – Lake Country Now

Gymnastics results(Photo: Matt Colby/Now Media Group)

The Nordy Invitational is a special home meet for the Mukwonago/Kettle Moraine gymnastics team. Longtime coach Harry Nordentofthelped put MKM on the map by winning two WIAA state titles in 1992 and 1994. MKM also finished second in 1993.

MKM was fifth at this year's NordyInvite with a score of 134.15. Kenosha won the title with a 145.1.

"Three of the top scoring teams in the state were present at this invite," MKM coach Tom Werth said. "A lot of highly ranked gymnasts were competing."

Mackenzie Pendleton placed seventh in the all-around (34.1). Pendleton was eighth on beam (8.95) and 10th on floor (8.95).

"She has some very difficult moves in her beam and floor routines that keep her scores right up there with some of the state's top gymnasts," Werth said.

One of MKM's most reliable gymnasts this season,Maddy Krumenacher, took eighth in the all-around with a score of33.925. Krumenacher was ninth on floor (9.0) and 12th on bars (8.5).

"An uncharacteristic fall off the beam kept her off the award stand," Werth said. "Most of the season, she has been solid on that event."

Kelsee Koreschwas the team's top vaulter with a 15th-place finish (8.35). Koreschwas 13th on bars (8.35), tied for 14th on beam (8.5) and finished 18th on floor (8.65).

"One of our most improved varsity gymnasts is Kelsee Koresch, who has continually grown throughout the season," Werth said. "Her hard work and determination throughout the season is paying off."

Ayva Dionne has also worked hard this season and cracked the varsity lineup. Dionne finished 16th on floor with an 8.7 and was 22nd on beam with an 8.025.

"She has added a few new moves to her routines which have helped increase her starting values," Werth said.

MKM was the first team up on vault and didn't stick some of its landings.

"As the meet progressed, the girls steadily improved and found their competitive way," Werth said. "Everyone showed good flow and clean form on the bars.On beam, we had a few falls but finished the meet with some great routines on the floor.The girls really put it together on that event, which ended up being our best showing."

The MKM junior varsity team was fourth (122.5). Waukesha won the meet with a 127.2. Maddie Yager was victorious in the all-around with a score of 30.0.

Yager also placed third onvault (8.1), 15th onbars (7.0) and 12th onbeam (7.85). Tyler Christiansen was eighth onbeam (8.0), 15th onvault (7.65) and 12th onbars with a 7.05.

Natalie Heinz and Jordyn Fixel both tied for third on the floor with scores of 8.3 Fixel also hit one of her best bar routines of the season to place ninth with a 7.4.

On Feb 8, the MKM varsity lost a dual meet to Arrowhead,134.125-132.05.

Emma Jaworski tied for first on vault with a score of 8.5.Krumenacher was second in the all-around, third on vault and third onbars.Pendleton placed second onbeam and floor and was third in the all-around.

"Quite a few of the girls added some more difficult moves to their routines and just need a little time to get comfortable with those additions," Werth said. "This was a good meet to break out these moves so that by tournament time they are comfortable and can focus on hitting the routines they are capable of hitting.I was proud of how many of them competed. Anytime you add a new element to your routine, your focus seems to be on that move and sometimes you let your guard down and miss a couple of moves you normally would hit.The next few practices we will be focusing on lots of routines with everything in so each girl can perform with confidence."

At the JV level, MKM won the meet, 118.75-97.4. Yager had a good day withvictories on vault and bars. Yager was third in the all-around.

"She has been a steady worker for the team and has improved quite a bit over the season," Werth said.

Christiansen won the all-around.

"She has a lot of potential showing clean lines on her form and just needs to work more difficult moves into her routines and she will be strong in the years to come," Werth said.

Natalie Heinz hit a good beam and floor routine and placedsecond in both events.

"Another girl that is moving up throughout the season with some quality routines," Werth said. "Taylor Christensen was third on the beam with an outstanding new move, throwing a back tuck on the beam.Think of flipping a back somersault on the floor and then try it on a balance beam that is only four inches wide.She nailed that move and really got her team cheering."

MKM travels to Waukesha West on Feb. 16 for the conference meet.

"Our focus will be on cleaning up our routines and strive to close the gap on that 140 score," Werth said. "We're hopeful to get Malia Christiansen back in the lineup for Thursday's meet. She has been in and out of the lineup this season with a nagging injury.I know it is hard for her to sit and watch her team because she is such a competitor and wants to get back out there.Her presence alone when she is competing helps fire up this team and we have been missing that."

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Mukwonago/Kettle Moraine finishes fifth at Nordy Invite - Lake Country Now