High school gymnastics: Medina's core four does more as Bees finish second at state

HILLIARD — The core four of the Medina gymnastics team staged a performance for the ages on Friday night. Colleen Johnson, Madison Lee, Maddy Todorovich and Macy Maxworthy counted scores in every event at the state team meet, leading the Bees to a second-place finish behind perennial champion Brecksville. Medina matched the best showing by a Medina County squad in the 50-year history of the event, joining the 2020 Brunswick Blue Devils and the 2005 and 2006 Bees as state runners-up. "I'm still in shock, honestly, but this actually feels above and beyond anything that I ever imagined," Maxworthy said. "I don't have any words to describe it. No words." Brecksville (147.5) earned the top scores on the vault, uneven parallel bars and floor exercise, while Medina (145.025) finished first on the balance beam, was second on the bars and placed third on the floor at Hilliard Bradley. The Bees started the day on the beam and wrapped it up on the bars, bookending the five-hour meet with gorgeous performances that allowed them to finish ahead of Kenston (144.725) and Brunswick (144.3). "It all came together for us today," Todorovich said. "After the first two events, we felt pretty good about ourselves, but realistically, we were aiming for the top four. "Finishing second was so unexpected — in a good way — but I don't think it will feel real until we're back in Medina celebrating." Johnson (36.75) paced the team with a 9.3 on the vault and a 9.375 on the floor. Fellow junior Maxworthy (35.8) led the squad with a 9.025 on the bars, while sophomore Lee (36.25) posted a 9.5 on the beam. Junior Todorovich (36.0) had her top mark of 9.25 on the floor. Freshman Sophie Akers-Novak tied for the Bees' fourth-best score on the bars at 8.675. "Once we saw what we got on the beam, we said, 'Yeah, we've got this,'" Johnson said. "We were very confident because we know all of our girls can come through in a big meet." Nikki Uhrin, Faith Webb, Madelyn Deighton, Addy Cusick and Gwen Asher also saw action as Medina finished with the third-highest total in county history at the event. Johnson, Maxworthy and Deighton also tied the county record by competing in their third consecutive state team meet. No local athlete has taken part in four in their career. "I really didn't know anything about the program's legacy when I joined the team this year," Lee said. "But I quickly learned that we all get along really well, which is great because we're around each other a lot." The Blue Devils were second on the vault and third on the bars but uncharacteristically faltered in the other two events. Freshman Lauren Eyssen (35.975) had their best scores on the vault, bars and beam. Junior Lili Kotar topped the team on the floor. Eyssen and freshman Aubrey Mueller counted scores in three events, and seniors Lexi Clark, Lana Dakdouk and Jenna Delrio did so in a pair. "We had good vibes the whole time, but we know we could have turned it up and done better," Mueller said. "That's going to happen next year." Clark, Dakdouk and senior Sophia Tomecko, and juniors Alaina Timko and Kotar also equaled the county record by participating in their third straight state team meet. "It's pretty special because we're all doing it together for our school," said Clark, who earned a 9.025 for her high-flying performance on the bars. "I know a lot of young girls look up to us at our gym. When they say they want to be just like me, I sincerely appreciate it. "I had a great career at Brunswick, and I hope all of our new girls do, as well." Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com. Follow him @BrianDulik on Twitter. Results Team standings: 1. Brecksville 147.5, 2. Medina 145.025, 3. Kenston 144.725, 4. Brunswick 144.3, 5. Hudson 143.925, 6. Magnificat 142.6, 6. Olentangy Berlin 142.6, 8. Thornville Sheridan 141.55, 9. Perrysburg 139.775, 10. Dublin Jerome 139.4, 11. Centerville 134.775, 12. Miamisburg 134.2. Brunswick scores All-around: Lauren Eyssen 35.975. Vault: Lauren Eyssen 9.55, Anna Taylor 9.325, Lana Dakdouk 9.2, Jenna Delrio 9.1, Sophia Tomecko 8.45, Lexi Clark 8.15. Uneven parallel bars: Lauren Eyssen 9.075, Lexi Clark 9.025, Aubrey Mueller 8.75, Sophia Tomecko 8.325, Jenna Delrio 8.25, Lili Kotar 8.075. Balance beam: Lauren Eyssen 9.275, Alaina Timko 9.175, Aubrey Mueller 8.775, Jenna Delrio 8.55, Lili Kotar 8.525, Anna Taylor 7.625. Floor exercise: Lili Kotar 9.3, Lana Dakdouk 9.1, Lexi Clark 8.975, Aubrey Mueller 8.8, Anna Taylor 8.375, Lauren Eyssen 8.075. Medina scores All-around: Colleen Johnson 36.975, Madison Lee 36.25, Maddy Todorovich 36.0, Macy Maxworthy 35.8. Vault: Colleen Johnson 9.3, Maddy Todorovich 8.825, Madison Lee 8.75, Macy Maxworthy 8.275, Addy Cusick 8.175, Gwen Asher 8.175. Uneven parallel bars: Macy Maxworthy 9.025, Colleen Johnson 8.9, Maddy Todorovich 8.825, Madison Lee 8.675, Sophie Akers-Novak 8.675, Nikki Uhrin 7.15. Balance beam: Madison Lee 9.5, Colleen Johnson 9.4, Macy Maxworthy 9.325, Maddy Todorovich 9.1, Sophie Akers-Novak 8.3, Faith Webb 7.725. Floor exercise: Colleen Johnson 9.375, Madison Lee 9.325, Maddy Todorovich 9.25, Macy Maxworthy 9.175, Nikki Uhrin 8.725, Madelyn Deighton 8.6.