SoCal High School Gymnastics Championships
Big Night for Bartkus, Lancers

Long Beach Press Telegram
May 5, 2006

The sweep is complete.

Four times, Lakewood High's Kristin Bartkus has entered the Southern California High School Gymnastics Championships. And four times, she has won the all around title.

The final time came Friday night at Wilson High, when the senior totaled 38.3 points, just enough to edge Millikan sophomore Jill Locantore (38.2) and Valley Christian freshman Kristen Barca (38.1) for the crown.

Bartkus also helped the Lancers to their third consecutive team title with 176.65 points. Valley Christian finished second with 172.3 points and Wilson took third (160.65).

It's a great accomplishment both for the team and myself individually," Bartkus said.

"It was really close throughout the meet," Bartkus added. "In any rotation it could have gone either way."

However, she said she couldn't say winning the all-around title was more exciting than winning the team title.

"Thery're both about the sane," Bartkus said.

Bartkus earned a measure of revenge against Barca, who edged the senior last week for the Moore League title.

"There was competition the whole season between us," said Bartkus. "This kind of evens it out. We both did really well. I wish her the best of luck."

Bartkus won the all-around without winning any single event. She was second in the vault (9.55), uneven parallel bars (9.6) and the balance beam (9.65) and fourth in floorexercise (9.5).

By all accounts, the competition in both the Moore League and around Southern California was higher this year than in the past. Lakewood coach Michelle Kaeka was pleased with how her team responded.

"With more competition, it put a little more worry on us," Kaeka said. "That pushed the girls a little harder."

Barca had a pair of event victories in the bars (9.7) and the floor (9.8). Claire De Los Reyes of Connelly won the vault (9.6) and Locantore took first in the balance beam (9.7).

"We did fine," said Valley Christian coach Julie Winton, whose team feature any seniors. "We have a very, very young team. We're losing no one".

The Crusadors' Jessica Earls took third in the beam (9.4) and was fifth in the all-around (36.85). Melissa Thomas from Wilson was second in the floor exercise (9.65), third in the bars (9.45) and fourth in the all-around (37.5). Locantore had a third-place finish in the vault (9.5) and was third in the floor (9.6).