Defending Champs are back!
Both defending champs are back into their same draw as they won a year ago. Charoenkul of Faifield enters the singles tournament as the #2 seed this year. The new rule change went into effect and allowed Charoenkul to be seeded as she was the state champion in 2018 but lost to teammate Yana Gaskell in the district final this year. In the doubles draw, Taylor Hogan from Waterloo Columbus is back to defend her 2018 crown but brings in a new partner in Elysse Trost. Hogan/Trost enter the tournament as the #1 seed. Hogan, for people that may not know, is an excellent gymnast where she is believed to continue gymnastics at the collegiate level.
The Singles Bracket
Seeds:
1. Yana Gaskell, Fairfield
2. Anatta Charoenkul, Fairfield
3. Sophie Walker, Red Oak
4. Sofia Ordinateva, Saydel
2018 Returning Place Winners
Anatta Charoenkul, Fairfield, Singles Champion
Yana Gaskell, Fairfield, Singles Runner-up
Brooke Jorgensen, Pella, 3rd Singles
Anna Freiburger, Wahlert, 7th Singles
Sophie Walker, Red Oak, Doubles Runner-up
1A singles is a pretty experienced and veteran group this year. The top three finishers from last year are back and a doubles runner-up from last year is in the draw. With the new rule change in affect that allows a district runner-up to be seeded if they were in the finals the previous year has taken place in this draw. Charoenkul is a two time defending champ and took 2nd in her district to teammate Yana Gaskell. Gaskell is the #1 seed and Charoenkul was awarded the #2 seed. While I think this bracket is going to be pretty competitive, I think Gaskell and Charoenkul meet up again in the final for a second straight year and battle it out for the crown. To me, Sophie Walker the #3 seed and Sofia Ordinteva the #4 seed will have some tough sections of the brackets where Ordinteva has Baker first round and then could have either Phillips or Harris next round who were both district champions. Walker in the mean time has Schwabe in the first round but then could have Freiburger or Jorgensen. A battle for 3rd place is inevitable, but the question remains is if anyone can challenge Gaskell or Charoenkul.
0 Freshman Newcomers
First Round Matches to Watch
Macy Harris (Grinnell) vs Olivia Phillips (WSR)
Macy Baker (Red Oak) vs #4 Sofia Ordinteva (Saydel)
Anna Freiburger (Wahlert) vs Brooke Jorgensen
The Doubles Bracket
Seeds:
1. Taylor Hogan/Elysse Trost, Columbus
2. Miyako Coffey/Emily Jasper, Xavier
3. Kendall Evans/Josie Condon, Estherville LC
4. Nichole Gilbert/Natalie Gilbert, Shenandoah
2018 Returning Place Winners
Taylor Hogan, Columbus - Doubles Champion Katie Wichman, WSR - 3rd Doubles Emily Jasper, Xavier - 4th Doubles Kendell Evans, Estherville - 6th Doubles Josie Condon, Estherville 6th Doubles Nichole Gilbert, Shenandoah - 5th Singles Half of last years doubles tandem that was crowned state champion returns in Taylor Hogan from Columbus. She with partner Elysse Trost enter the tournament as the #1 seed and look to add to Waterloo Columbus's decorated history. Although there isn't a ton of "star" power in the doubles field this year, there are some strong pairs that have the chance to make a name for themselves. The Gilbert sisters at the #4 seed make up the #1 doubles pair for Shenandoah who has been a nice team over the last few years. Look for them to advance through the main draw. Kendell Evans and Josie Condon of Estherville-LC come in as the #3 seed and have the opportunity to boost a school that may get overlooked by some of the 1A powerhouses. Evans and Condon open with Glenwood and then could face either WSR or Kuemper. Their path to the semi-finals isn't going to be easy, but definitely a great chance to make a name for themselves. Semi-final spots are going to be competitive no doubt but I think Columbus and Xavier will get their duos to the finals for a clash. Freshman Newcomers Katrina Paton, Fairfield Katrina Paton (hopefully this is the same individual as Tess Paton who is listed in the draw) is the only freshman in the singles and doubles field for 1A this year, congrats Tess! Paton comes from a Fairfield team mostly playing the five singles and three doubles positions this year. Paton may be overshadowed by some of the state's best in teammates Gaskell and Charoenkul, but she does a great job in the back half of the lineup on a good Fairfield team. Fairfield lost 4-5 in a tight match to Wahlert in the Quarterfinals. First Round Matches to Watch Deseree Stubbe/CeJay Blakely (Clarke) vs Alex Griggs/Anna Sanderson (Knoxville) Kendell Evans/Josie Condon (Estherville) vs Brooklyn Taylor/Brielle Smith (Glenwood) Lauren Dilulio/Caroline Bush (Assumption) vs Emily English/Gabby Kardell (Spencer)
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