High school gymnastics: Nevaeh Sejka, Miranda Pesto lead Buckeye to CWC title

MEDINA — Nevaeh Sejka and Miranda Pesto helped the Buckeye gymnastics team earn its first league title as freshmen. Now seniors, they became the initial two-time champions in school history Saturday. Sejka finished first on the uneven parallel bars and floor exercise, and Pesto and teammate Kora Seeley shared the crown on the vault as the Bucks won the inaugural Cleveland West Conference Meet. Buckeye scored 132 points to defeat North Olmsted (126.65) and Lakewood (111.45) for the championship at the competition that also included individuals from Westlake at the Buckeye Activity Center. "It's sweet because I was a freshman when we won the Great Lakes Conference, but there wasn't a league meet for us last season," Sejka said. "I am really glad we had the opportunity to compete for one as seniors. "Winning it was something we've been focused on since the start of the year, and it's well deserved for our team." Sejka also was the runner-up in the all-around to North Olmsted freshman Kinsley Schneid, who edged her 33.85-33.55 for the gold. Seeley placed third, Pesto was fourth and Bucks junior Danica Bir finished a strong sixth. Buckeye's admirable depth was key to the victory, as it grabbed 18 of the 30 individual podium spots. Seeley and Pesto were the only gymnasts to do so in all five events, while Sejka picked up four medals, Bir placed in three and junior Emmalin Samosky was fourth on the bars. "Everyone is pulling their weight on this team, and they support each other inside and outside of the gym," Bucks coach Ally Bresnahan said. "To see the girls work together and have fun all season to achieve this goal means everything." Seeley, far and away the top freshman in Medina County, snared third-place finishes on the bars and floor. She also was fourth on the balance beam, making her the sole athlete to wind up in the top four across the board. Pesto battled through back pain and a left wrist injury to finish fourth on the floor, fifth on the beam and sixth on the bars. The vault specialist and Seeley each scored an 8.35 in the event. Buckeye's secret weapon was Bir, who has put together a very solid season and was one of its four all-arounders at the postseason meet. She was second on the beam by 0.1 to Lakewood's Lillian Tabor and placed sixth on the vault. Bir said she relished the opportunity to start on the beam, which is her favorite event. "I was not nervous at all, maybe a little sweaty, but not nervous," she said, smiling. "As soon as I got up there, I was ready. It was nice to be able to get us going." Next up for the Bucks is the Hudson District, where they are the No. 10 seed. No. 6 Medina and No. 9 Brunswick will also be there, vying for one of five team bids to the state meet. "Winning the conference was big for our team and I'm very happy to contribute to it," Seeley said. "Now, I'm excited to compete at districts. It's going to come down to tightening up on everything and making sure to squeeze knees and point toes." Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow him @BrianDulik on X. ResultsStandings: 1. Buckeye 132, 2. North Olmsted 126.65, 3. Lakewood 111.45, 4. Westlake.All-around — 1. Kinsley Schneid (NO) 33.85, 2. Nevaeh Sejka (B) 33.55, 3. Kora Seeley (B) 33.25, 4. Miranda Pesto (B) 32.65, 5. Lillian Tabor (L) 32.6, 6. Danica Bir (B) 32.3.Vault — 1. Pesto (B) 8.35, 1. Seeley (B) 8.35, 3. Sejka (B) 8.25, 4. Lily Carleton (NO) 8.0, 4. Tabor (L) 8.0, 6. Bir (B) 7.85.Uneven parallel bars — 1. Sejka (B) 8.85, 2. Schneid (NO) 8.8, 3. Seeley (B) 7.8, 4. Emmalin Samosky (B) 7.65, 5. Tabor (L) 7.5, 6. Pesto (B) 7.45.Balance beam — 1. Tabor (L) 8.8, 2. Bir (B) 8.7, 3. Schneid (NO) 8.6, 4. Seeley (B) 8.4, 5. Pesto (B) 8.25, 6. Gianna Neewilly (NO) 8.2.Floor exercise — 1. Sejka (B) 8.8, 2. Schneid (NO) 8.75, 3. Seeley (B) 8.7, 4. Pesto (B) 8.6, 5. Lily Carleton (NO) 8.6, 6. Gianna Neewilly (NO) 8.5.