A day after the Chesterton gymnastics sectional concluded, Portage coach Karen Barcelli still had her doubts about what transpired.
The Indians broke a 14-year drought and advanced to today's Valparaiso Regional with a third-place sectional finish.
"I kept waiting Sunday for someone to call and say that we added up wrong," Barcelli said. "My teeth hurt so bad because I was smiling so much. It's now great to realize that took place."
Portage's Ashley Farley and Mackenzie Barcelli, the coach's freshman daughter, came up with the points needed on beam -- the Indians' final rotation -- to stop the skid.
Barcelli boosted the team with a 9.4, then Farley followed with an 8.925. Farley persevered after a fall to nudge past the 8.7 score the team needed to advance to the regional.
"We've proven that we can overcome mistakes," coach Barcelli said. "Mackenzie is a pretty solid competitor, and she's not really shaken by pressure. She rejuvenated us and took some of the pressure off Ashley.
"Ashley just knew that she had to do it for the team. It wasn't flawless, but she knew how to work through it."
The Indians have learned to deal with adversity. Freshmen Lyndsey Cunningham and Leah Streetman suffered season-ending injuries earlier this year.
"With our injuries in the beginning, it might have seemed unrealistic to advance," coach Barcelli said. "Cunningham would've helped us out on floor, and we were counting on Streetman to help us on bars.
"I was just so proud of how this team came together."
Hooray for snow day: Portage's Duneland Athletic Conference dual match with top-ranked Valparaiso was originally scheduled for Feb. 10. Inclement weather forced the meet to be moved to Feb. 22. Valparaiso edged Portage 110.2-106.275, which was the closest league dual meet for the Vikings this season.
"We were so thankful for the snow day," Barcelli said. "If we would've competed against Valparaiso two weeks earlier, I think things would've been different. We were ready for this meet, and we started to realize our potential."
Valparaiso continues its tradition: Even with a starting lineup consisting of three freshmen and two sophomores, Valparaiso doesn't appear to be experiencing growing pains.
Sophomore Steffanie Long is the lone returning postseason competitor for the defending state champions.
"They are undefeated and have the highest scores in the state," Valparaiso coach Lorie Cook said. "They've achieved those things with a lot of hard work.
"Our kids tend to live up to the standard that has been set before them. There's a pride in that tradition. They want to continue to raise the bar."
The Vikings also are the defending regional champions, and the team looks for a repeat today.
"These girls have bought into the program," said Cook, whose teams have won a record seven state titles. "They want to try to exceed the standards.
"It's exciting to be in the gym. I've been doing this for 35 years, and it's still a lot of fun."
PREP GYMNASTICS | REGIONAL NOTES
Valparaiso Regional
When: 6 p.m. today.
Where: Valparaiso High School.
Participating teams: Chesterton, DeKalb, Elkhart Central, Portage, Valparaiso, Warsaw.
Advancement: The top two teams and the top six individuals in each event and all-around, plus any additional gymnasts meeting the state-qualifying standard (floor exercise, 9.65; balance beam, 9.25; vault, 9.575; bars, 9.5; all-around, 37.425) advance to the March 20 state finals at Perry Meridian High School.
Favorite: Valparaiso.
Darkhorse: Portage.
Gymnasts to watch: Chesterton -- Kelley Freeman, Brianne Hendrix, Elizabeth Kozak, Emily Kozak; DeKalb -- Kiya Hill; East Noble -- Kaitlyn Wolfe; Elkhart Central -- Carlisha Carr; LaPorte -- Abaigale Light; Michigan City -- Katlynn Schwanke; Portage -- Mackenzie Barcelli, Ashley Farley; Valparaiso -- Morgan Algozine, Steffanie Long, Kassidy Swenson, Haley Whipps; Warsaw -- Miriam Vogle; Washington Twp. -- Cassidy Feldsien.
Fast facts: Valparaiso is the defending regional champion. Long is the defending regional champion on floor.
