Emma Jane Rohrer didn’t just stay on the balance beam in the most pressure-packed setting of the girls gymnastics season, she stuck every element of her routine.
The New Trier sophomore, who was plagued by falls on beam for much of this year, executed her layout flawlessly near the beginning of her beam routine at the state finals on Saturday, Feb. 20, in Palatine. She nailed her switch-half — a jump and turn — soon thereafter.
“After the switch-half, I was like, ‘I’ve got this,’ ” said Rohrer, who finished in a tie for second in the state. “I didn’t want to get too excited because the [backflip]-tuck was coming up and I’ve fallen on that so many times. Too many to count.”
Rohrer didn’t fall, though. She landed with near-perfect balance, then stuck her dismount.
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“I made it,” Rohrer said, “and I was so happy.”
Immediately after Rohrer completed her routine, she jumped into the arms of New Trier coach Jen Pistorius in glee. Once Rohrer and Pistorius’ enthusiastic embrace ended, Rohrer hopped up and down exuberantly. She also hugged Loyola senior Claire Sullivan, who’s one of her closest friends.
“Seeing her nail her routine was amazing,” said Sullivan, who finished ninth on beam (9.15). “She did such a good job. … I’ve seen her nail a bunch of routines, but it’s definitely one of the best ones I’ve seen her do. She thrives under pressure.”
Rohrer’s beam routine was awarded a 9.45 by the judges. That put her in first, with eight gymnasts remaining.
Some might hope for the state’s other best gymnasts to falter in that scenario, but Rohrer didn’t.
“I did my best out there, and whatever [place] I get, I’m happy about,” Rohrer said. “[The] people who got higher scores, I totally see it. … They deserve it. And I’m only a sophomore. I have time.”
Glenbard West freshman Maddie Diab, who was the all-around champion, surpassed Rohrer with a 9.525 on beam. DeKalb junior Aleah Leman and Hinsdale South senior Maddie Nowak matched Rohrer’s 9.45.
Eric Van Dril is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @VanDrilSports