The gymnasts smiled when third place was announced — it wasn’t them. They let out a sigh of relief when second place was revealed — that wasn’t them, either. They held hands, lowered their heads, then erupted in screams when Battlefield was announced as the winner.
“We came into this week kind of nervous,” sophomore Ryan Grothoff said. “We had to hit everything and didn’t quite today. I think we’re all a little surprised we pulled through.”
The Bobcats will get a chance to avenge last year’s second-place showing in the state championship meet. That slight shortcoming motivated them throughout this season and has put them back on the highest stage.
Battlefield’s team score of 145.925 beat host Patriot’s 140.575. Mountain View, last year’s Class 5 state champion that moved up a level this season, finished third.
Battlefield senior Jordan Ignacio finished first on beam with a score of 9.700. Grothoff’s 9.550 took the top spot on floor. They’re two of three individuals the Bobcats will feature at next week’s Virginia High School League state championship meet in Virginia Beach, along with sophomore Giselle Forman.
“We didn’t hit our best, so we definitely have room to improve,” Coach Mary Henry said. “Having said that, I was really impressed with their fight. I know my girls aren’t completely happy with it.”
The coach’s initial message to her athletes this preseason was a reminder of where they fell short a year ago. That message has rung throughout the program in recent months and fueled their quest to reach the stage again and come out victorious this time.
For the gymnasts, second place was a surprise and a learning experience. For many, it was their first time reaching that point, which led to nervousness on the day of the meet that they believe contributed to their finish. But it also gave them a taste of what’s required to beat two-time defending champion Lake Braddock, which Battlefield again will be tasked with taking down.
This time, the Bobcats feel they’re equipped to conquer that giant.
“We didn’t know what to expect last year,” Forman said. “Being so close, it was like, ‘We can do this.’ We just have to perform as we do best.”