It may feel like ancient history to Valparaiso senior Megan Wagenblast.
But the cool, calm demeanor she carries wasn’t with her when she started at Valparaiso three years ago.
“I was very nervous in my freshman year,” Wagenblast said. “But as soon as I started, I got it quickly. Because it’s so team-based, it was easy to come out of my shell and get into the swing of things.”
Now as one of the veterans, Wagenblast leads a talented Valparaiso team looking to erase the memories of a disappointing 2018-19 season.
Last March, an injury-depleted Valparaiso failed to qualify for regionals for the first time since 2001. The Vikings did have an individual state qualifier in 2019 graduate Whitney McKeon, but the rest of the team — including Wagenblast — only could practice.
“It was heartbreaking at first,” Wagenblast said. “But we bounced back so quick. We kept practicing with (McKeon), and that really built us back up. The next week we were ready to support her and were ready to start the next season.”
That next season has arrived, and Wagenblast is expected to be a key contributor for the Vikings. She was just a freshman when Valparaiso won a state title in 2017 but competed on beam at the state meet. As a sophomore, Wagenblast scored a 9.375 on beam to finish sixth at the state meet as Valparaiso placed second.
“She competed at the state (meet) as a freshman, and that’s quite a compliment to her,” coach Lorie Cook said. “We had enough faith in her, and she was consistent enough to make the lineup.”
Wagenblast plans to compete in all four events this season.
“Beam has been my strongest event,” she said. “I didn’t vault at all last year because I was injured at the beginning of the season. I want to get stronger on bars, especially, because that’s a huge thing for me — being a better all-around gymnast.”
Wagenblast isn’t Valparaiso’s only talented veteran. Juniors Sabrina Falk and Jade VerSchure and sophomore Lexy Malamatos are back, combining with a talented group of freshmen that should have the Vikings back among the state’s top teams when the postseason arrives.
Cook believes the leadership from experienced teammates like Wagenblast will be crucial for Valparaiso to rebound from last season’s disappointment.
“This sport is hard enough,” Cook said. “When you’re trying to help new kids, having them (veterans) is a huge plus for our team. It’s just as important as our skills.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
