This weekend the Geneva Gymnastics team is travelling to Palatine to compete in the state meet. The Vikings are looking to put up big numbers this year. They’re the 3rd ranked team that qualified for state, and have multiple players looking to place individually. I sat down with sophomore Paige Beitzel to talk about the Vikings’ chances at state.

Q: Who should we look for to individually place?

PB: Everyone on the team is capable of placing I think. You had to have qualified in meets prior to state. I can’t remember off hand, but Claire and Grace Ginsberg both qualified for the all around. Julia (Grootens) I think qualified on beam and I am unsure for floor.

Q: How does the team decide who participates in which event?

PB: Our coach decides who does which event. She decides this by how we practice and who is strongest on each event.

Q: What is Holly Friedel/the team’s mindset after her accident?

PB: Holly has come back to practice and has been doing her skills more and more consistent going in to state. Our coach is still making final decisions on what she is competing, but she I think will defiantly be doing bars. Just being able to see her come back is just incredible. We are all so proud and happy that she is back. We were devastated when we saw her fall. Seeing her come back is amazing.

Q: To be honest, most people don’t know how gymnastics meets work. Could you explain the process at state?

PB: If an individual places on Friday they have a chance to compete again on Saturday and increase our team score. If they get a higher score the second day that will be added to our team score.

Q:  How do you feel about Geneva’s chances at state?

PB: We are just going to try and hit all our routines and compete with confidence. We have been practicing really hard and just trying to make our routines as clean as possible.