High school gymnastics preview: Brunswick's Jordyn Thomas, Highland's Paige Yu top county talent

The two best gymnasts in Ohio — and the second-best team in the state — all call Medina County home. Suffice to say, expectations are sky high locally this winter. Brunswick senior Jordyn Thomas put together one of the greatest seasons in history, winning a record-tying four championships at the 2020 state meet — the all-around, floor exercise, uneven parallel bars and balance beam — after leading the Blue Devils to a second-place finish in the state team competition. The 5-foot-4 dynamo broke every school record during an incredible postseason that featured consecutive all-around titles at the Greater Cleveland Conference Meet, West Geauga Sectional, West Geauga District and state meet at Hilliard Bradley. Thomas also posted the highest score in all five events at the state team meet, joining Brecksville legend Alecia Farina (2013-2016) as the only gymnasts to accomplish that feat and win four individual crowns the next day. The other members of the four-title club are Medina's Emilie Rymer (2004), Brecksville's Christina Lenny (2007) and Magnificat's Kelly Nortz (2009) — all household names in the sport. Three-time Gazette MVP Thomas came within a whisker of an unprecedented feat but was the state runner-up on the vault to Walsh Jesuit's Kyra Dossa. Highland sophomore Paige Yu has already established herself as the top performer in school history, finishing second in the all-around and beam at the state meet. She also was fourth on the bars and floor and fifth on the vault. Eight county girls qualified for state in a county-record 19 events in 2020, while the Blue Devils placed second and Greater Cleveland Conference champ Medina was ninth at the state team meet. Brunswick returns the top nine scorers from its historic squad, which could be even better with 2019 state qualifier Anna Taylor healthy and the addition of four freshmen. "We've had tons of (skill) upgrades from key members of the team since last year," Blue Devils coach Jacqueline Krist said. "It still feels like a blessing to be able to compete, and we're looking forward to another great season." The Bees advanced to the state team meet for the first time since 2013, but it was bittersweet after losing double-event qualifier Meghan Deighton to a torn right anterior cruciate ligament on the vault at districts. Deighton underwent reconstructive surgery last spring and is back for her senior campaign, along with sophomore Colleen Johnson and senior Addison Kasian, who competed at state in one event apiece. "We're looking forward to returning to competition in 2021," Medina coach Darcy Ranallo said. "We are focused on consistency and execution, and as always, we're looking forward to contributions from everyone on the team." Wadsworth junior Jensen Heppner and Highland sophomore Jenna Pennington round out the returning state qualifiers, having competed on the vault and bars, respectively in suburban Columbus. Here's a closer look at the county's six teams: Brunswick Coach: Jacqueline Krist (5th season) Last season: 8-3, 4-1 (2nd at Greater Cleveland Conference Meet), 1st at West Geauga Sectional, 2nd at West Geauga District, 2nd at state meet. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Jordyn Thomas (Three-time Gazette MVP, sr.), Lili Kotar (All-Gazette, so.), Lana Dakdouk (HM All-Gazette, jr.), Alaina Timko (HM All-Gazette so.), Lexie Barton (sr.), Emma Gray (sr.), KaraBeth Nemet (sr.), Anna Taylor (jr.), Lexi Clark (jr.), Sophia Tomecko (jr.), Maddy Mueller (jr.), Fatima Pruitt (jr.), Grace Karpinski (so.), Hailey Messer (so). Newcomers: Lexi Dempsey (so.), Layla Hasan (so.), Maddie Phillips (fr.), Brooke Vargo (fr.). Noteworthy: Taylor was a state qualifier on the vault as a freshman but missed all of last season with a major leg injury. She is currently competing with her club team.Assistant coach Christina Lenny was a standout gymnast at Brecksville and Kent State, qualifying for the NCAA Championship in the all-around. Buckeye Coach: Kristin Seeley (12th season)Last year: 12-2, 8th at West Geauga Sectional. Key letterwinner lost: Madisyn Meers (HM All-Gazette). Returning letterwinners: Anna Theis (jr.), Haleigh McKillen (jr.), Cassie Girard (jr.), Sara Rak (so.), Becca Taylor (so.), Riley Breudigam (so.). Newcomers: Lindsey Flood (fr.). Noteworthy: Rak advanced to districts on the floor with a ninth-place finish in her postseason debut. Her 9.15 at sectionals was the sixth-highest score in the county.All six underclassmen from 2019-20 return to the squad, illustrating the unity of the program that Buckeye graduate Seeley has developed. Cloverleaf Coach: Stacy Thornburg (9th season)Last year: 2-8, 2-5 in North East Gymnastics Conference, 15th at West Geauga Sectional. Key letterwinners lost: None. Returning letterwinners: Ashley Sigmon (HM All-Gazette, jr.), Kaylee Tabor (sr.), McKenna Tabor (so.), Emily George (so.), Ava Norris (so.). Newcomers: Melinda Thielenhaus (sr.), Taylor Steinback (jr.), Kylie Hill (fr.), Suzanna Tefs (fr.), Michaelah Fauss (fr.), Emma James (fr.). Noteworthy: Sigmon is serving as a co-captain for the second straight season. She led the Colts in individual event wins as a freshman and sophomore, totaling 10.Co-captain Thielenhaus, a two-year letterwinner, returns as a senior. She had a team-high 143 kills for the Colts' volleyball team as a middle hitter. Highland Coaches: Jocelyne Textoris and Jennifer Lewis (4th season)Last year: 4th at Suburban League Meet, 5th at West Geauga Sectional. Key letterwinner lost: Mackenzie Yu (All-Gazette). Returning letterwinners: Paige Yu (so., All-Gazette), Jenna Pennington (so., HM All-Gazette), Ava Noonan (so.). Newcomers: Kayla Kowal (fr.), Sophia Scavuzzo (fr.). Noteworthy: Mackenzie Yu was a state qualifier as a sophomore and senior, finishing sixth on the bars, 11th on the beam and 24th in the all-around in 2020.Medina Gymnastics Academy owner Textoris and Lewis, who have 45 combined years of coaching experience, volunteer their services to the school. Medina Coach: Darcy Ranallo (13th season)Last year: 15-1, 5-0 (1st at Greater Cleveland Conference Meet), 2nd at West Geauga Sectional, 4th at West Geauga District, 9th at state meet. Key letterwinner lost: McKinley Kerans (HM All-Gazette). Returning letterwinners: Meghan Deighton (sr., All-Gazette), Addison Kasian (sr., All-Gazette), Colleen Johnson (so., All-Gazette), Macy Maxworthy (so., HM All-Gazette), Jenna Sterk (sr.), Madelyn Deighton (jr.), Faith Webb (jr.), Abby Ludlow (so.), Reagan Schirmer (so.). Newcomers: Maddy Todorovich (so.), Addy Cusick (fr.). Noteworthy: Assistant coach Mary Jane Otto won the 2017 and 2019 Big Ten Conference bars championships for Illinois. The two-time Fighting Illini MVP earned 28 career individual event victories and was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree. The Bees made their second state team meet appearance under Ranallo. Wadsworth Coach: Kelly Murphy (2nd season)Last year: 5-3, 5-2 in North East Gymnastics Conference, sixth at Suburban League Meet, 6th at West Geauga Sectional. Key letterwinners lost: None. Returning letterwinners: Jensen Heppner (All-Gazette, jr.), Allie Vaccaro (HM All-Gazette, sr.), Emilee Loparo (sr.), Alyssa Talabac (sr.), Arianna Kaser (jr.), Sydney Goodson (jr.), Payton Murphy (so.). Newcomers: Addie Beck (so.), Katie Dallas (fr.). Noteworthy: The Grizzlies won their first five NEGC meets and came within 1.8 points of qualifying for districts last season. Vaccaro earned her initial district individual bid. Heppner finished 17th on the vault in her state debut. Heppner, Vaccaro and Talabac were All-NEGC first team selections. Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com. Follow him @BrianDulik on Twitter.