Anna Becker’s fantastic four makes for an all-around special state meet for the Libertyville senior

In the end, all of Anna Becker’s stress, anxiety and soreness were gone.

All that was left for the Libertyville senior were joy, relief and the satisfaction of knowing she is the best high school gymnast in the state.

Becker ended her 15-year gymnastics career in style at the state meet at Palatine over the weekend. She won the all-around championship on Friday and then earned three more medals in the individual event finals on Saturday.

“I’m just really proud of myself and all the work I’ve put in day in and day out,” Becker said. “I’ve worked so hard for this, and I’m just proud of myself for sticking with it.”

Becker stuck all eight of her routines at state, marking a massive improvement on her performance last year, when she tied Vernon Hills’ Livy Tran for first place on vault but finished 18th in the all-around.

“She was really fantastic,” Libertyville coach Tiffany Owens said. “She is her harshest critic and always has been. Finally, I think she was able to start to enjoy her success and not be quite so stressed out. She is a true competitor.”

Becker is quick to criticize herself and slow to smile even after great routines. That’s just how she is wired, and it’s the main reason she decided not to continue her career in college.

“It’s just mentally exhausting, and I just get so much anxiety,” she said. “I just think I need to be done.”

Knowing her career was ending brought Becker peace and allowed the competitor in her to roar. She scored 38.175 points in winning the all-around. Vernon Hills junior Annika Chudy was second with 37.625.

Becker scored 9.7 on vault, 9.575 on uneven bars, 9.525 on balance beam and 9.375 on floor exercise. Her vault and beam scores were the highest of the day.

How did she overcome her stress?

“I just reminded myself that it’s already such a big accomplishment that I’ve made it here on all the events, and I reminded myself to breathe and remember how strong I am,” Becker said. “I just relied on my muscle memory of all the routines I’ve done in the gym. I relied on my body to know what it knows how to do.”

With the all-around championship secured, Becker was really able to let loose Saturday. She was one of just two gymnasts to qualify for the 10-person finals in all four events.

“It was really fun and exciting to watch her yesterday and today,” Owens said Saturday. “She seemed to have a lot of fun today, which is really what I wanted for her.

“I told her the hard work is done, we got here and just do the best you can and enjoy it, and I think that is exactly what she did. That’s part of the reason why she was so successful.”

Indeed, Becker reached the medal podium three more times by tying for third on uneven bars (9.325) and placing fourth on both balance beam (9.325) and floor exercise (9.375). She was seventh on vault (9.625), missing another medal by .05.

“I was just so overjoyed and proud of myself for how far I’ve come,” Becker said. “It’s really exciting, especially because I’m a senior. It was my last chance, and I was really excited for this opportunity.”

With six state medals, Becker is the most decorated gymnast in program history.

But she isn’t quite finished with high school sports. She plans to compete for the track team.

Becker tried track for the first time last year and qualified for the Class 3A state meet in the triple jump, setting a school record in the process.

“She is just a really gifted athlete,” Owens said. “I expect she’ll have another fantastic season in track.”

Becker said having fun with her teammates was one way she overcame the mental stress of gymnastics. But she also had another piece of advice for young athletes.

“Never give up and always work hard,” she said. “Because it will pay off, and it will be worth it.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.