Eagle Rock Set to Defend Girls’ Gymnastics Title

Although Eagle Rock High has won four consecutive girls’ gymnastics championships, it is seeded below Cleveland in the City Section championships at Wilson High 7 p.m. tonight. Eagle Rock Coach Jan Freis-Martinez is unfazed.

In fact, being seeded second is just fine, thank you. Last season, Eagle Rock clinched the title from the same position.

This year, however, repeating should be more difficult. Jennifer Mickschl, the Eagles’ top gymnast, might have a stress fracture in her wrist that, Freis-Martinez said, will almost certainly keep her from competing.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Freis-Martinez said of losing Mickschl. “We were looking at three nines and a high eight from her.”

Senior Bobbi Dudley should help pick up the slack. Dudley, who finished first in the league and seventh in the City in diving, competes at the Class 1 level in vault, beam and floor and Class 2 in bars.

For the first time in the five years, Marshall has fielded a team. The Barristers, who will compete, are paced by junior Suzy Karlic.