Photo by Donna Agusti Walled Lake United junior Krista Niess practices her beam routine during a training session earlier in the season. The Walled Lake United squad will be in action next along with the Walled Lake Northern squad at the March 6 regional at Troy Athens.

Local gymnasts take on loaded field at Troy Athens regional March 6

By Sue Teggart
C & G Sports Writer

When the Michigan High School Athletic Association gymnastics regional tournament gets under way March 6 at Troy Athens, eight elite local squads will be on display in the 15-team field in hopes of earning a spot in the state final.       

The host of talent includes three-time state champion (2004-2006) Farmington United, which finished third at last season’s finals and runner-up in 2008.

Perennial powers such as the combined Athens-Avondale squad, Farmington Hills Harrison, Walled Lake United and Birmingham United will also take center stage, as will Commerce-Walled Lake Northern, Fraser High and Troy High.

Joining the local squads are Brighton High, Cass City High, Hartland High, Milford High, Howell High, Vassar High and White Lake Lakeland.

The top three teams from the region will advance to the state finals, which are scheduled
for March 12-13.

Athens-Avondale coach Deanna Fakhouri said the loaded region has some of the best programs in the state.

“I think it will be a great competition. It always is at regionals,” Fakhouri said. “It’s the end of the season, and teams are all starting to peak. I think it will be a great, exciting competition.

“We do a pretty good job of making sure we see everybody across the state,” Fakhouri said regarding her squad’s preparation. “I think it’s going to be a race between Farmington and Athens-Avondale for first, and it’s going to be a fight between at least four teams for that third spot.”

Farmington United coach Jeff Dwyer agreed with Farkhouri’s prediction.

“I think we should be the top two teams battling it out for the regional championship,” Dwyer said about his squad and Athens-Avondale. “Whoever hits their routines will come out on top.”

While the teams battle it out for a top-three finish, gymnasts will do the same for individual glory. The top six Division 1 and 2 gymnasts advance to compete for an individual state championship.

Athens senior Brooke Madzia, who dazzled the competition at the D-2 state final last season by winning every event except for vault, is on track for another brilliant year.

“She’s got it set in her mind that she’s going for a repeat, and she’s going to leave it all on the floor like she did last year,” Fakhouri said. “She got a higher level vault. She learned it in the last month  — and she nailed it.”

Farmington has a long tradition of being among the best in the state, and Dwyer sees no reason why that shouldn’t continue as his squad sets its sights on the postseason.

“Our goal is to try to win the championship,” Dwyer said of his team’s regional ambitions.

Regardless of how familiar or unfamiliar their opponents may be, there are always championship aspirations for the local squads and individuals when the postseason rolls around.

“I expect them to work hard and do better for themselves and for the team,” Birmingham United coach Allyson Pfeifer said earlier in the season when asked about her team’s postseason goals.

“The talent is there; they just have to believe in themselves.”

You can reach Sports Writer Sue Teggart at steggart@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1107.