WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Platteville senior Grace Hammermeister turned in a pair of fourth-place finishes and placed 12th in the all-around in her farewell performance at the WIAA Division 2 individual state gymnastics meet Saturday afternoon at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School.
    Meanwhile, Belmont freshman Lizzy Haag got her first taste of the bright lights of the state meet.
    “It was a great day for the PBL gymnastic team,” said Platteville/Belmont/Lancaster head coach Jessica Hill. “I was proud of the way our team represented the SWC conference cheering for each other and promoting a positive atmosphere in the sport.”
    Hammermeister began her day on the vault and posted a solid 8.2 score. She continued on to post a season-best score of 7.583 on the uneven bars.
    The four-time state qualifier then performed on the beam, one of her strengths, posting a score of 9.017, which was good for fourth place in the event.
    In her final event, Hammermeister delivered an exceptional routine on the floor exercise to earn a second fourth-place medal with a score of 9.383.
    In her first appearance at state, Haag performed admirably and placed 18th out of 26 competitors on the bars with a score of 8.25.
    “Lizzy didn’t know what to expect when we arrived at the state meet,” said Hill. “I believe she was a bit surprised by the size of the crowd and the volume of the cheering. None of that mattered when it was her turn to compete. She did her routine just as she has practiced hundreds of times. She scored and 8.25 and placed 18th. This an amazing accomplishment and she has only started on the path to achieving her potential.”
    The Hillmen finished fifth at the WIAA Division 2 Mount Horeb sectional on Feb. 23 and second at the Southwest Wisconsin Conference Championships on Feb. 17 after going 3–1 in SWC duals during the season.
    The Hillmen will graduate Hammermeister, as well as fellow seniors Mikayla Vincent, Brook Pagliaro, Margaret Drefcinski and Alexandria Hardt.
    “The amount of improvement from the beginning of the year to the end was incredible,” added Hill. “I am the most proud of the way the team worked together to accomplish the improvement. This year we will be losing five seniors to graduation. They each brought something unique and valuable that contributed to the success of the season.”

WIAA Division 2 Individual State Championships
(from Saturday, March 4 @ Wisc. Rapids)
P/B/L’s individual results: All-around — 12.Grace Hammermeister 34.183 (BB-9.017, F-9.383, UB-7.583, V-8.2). Balance Beam — 4.Hammermeister 9.017. Floor Exercise — 4(tie).Hammermeister 9.383. Uneven bars — 18.Lizzy Haag 8.25.