Four Becker gymnasts took to the U of M Pavillion arena Saturday to compete in the state individual tournament.
Miranda O’Brien, Haley Olsen, Megan Murphy and Lindsay Olsen competed in their prescribed individual routines with O’Brien finishing 11th in vault, H. Olsen placing 31st on uneven bars, Murphy placing 19th on beam and L. Olsen placing 20th on beam and 14th on floor.
All four of Becker’s gymnasts who qualified to compete individually were there for their first time.
“No one placed in the medals,” said Head Coach Jen Harmoning. “But they all gained great experience.”
Murphy, a senior, capped off her high school career on the biggest stage in the sport. She received two 8.70 scores, one 8.60 and one 8.55 score from the judges for her tremendously difficult routine. She finished with an 8.650 averaged score.
“She will be moving on to college and new life experiences, but she will always have this moment to bring with her,” said Harmoning.
Freshman O’Brien received scores of 9.50, 9.40, 9.35 and 9.50 from the judges on her first vault. She proceeded to garner a 9.50 and three 9.40s on her second vault to finish with a 9.45.
Junior Haley Olsen captured a final score of 7.40 on uneven bars when the judges gave her two 7.20s, one 7.60 and one 7.70.
Freshman Lindsay Olsen competed in two events and on beam she got scores of 8.65, 8.60, 8.65 and 8.60 for a combined average score of 8.625. On floor, she received a 9.35, a 9.25, a 9.05 and a 9.40 to finish 14th with a score of 9.30.
“For Haley (Olsen), Lindsay (Olsen), and Miranda (O’Brien), it was really a good experience that they can use to motivate and elevate their gymnastics so that next year we can be in a position to reach the podium both as individuals and as a team,” said the coach. “The individual day was lots of fun. We enjoy getting to work as a team with the other gymnasts and coaches from our section.”
The top gymnast on vault was senior Hannah Wendel of Alexandria with a score of 9.875. The top athlete on bars was freshman Jennifer Boyle of Austin with a score of 9.575 and the top “beamer” was sophomore Mady Brinkman of Melrose with a score of 9.650. On floor, Wendel took home first place with a score of 9.60.
Other area athletes:
Mallary Dick of Big Lake finished in 15th place on vault with a score of 9.375, Cassie Knick a 9.275. On bars, Dick finished 10th overall with a score of 9.250. Knick scored a 7.850.
Big Lake’s Knick captured seventh place on beam with an impressive 9.3625 while Dick scored a 9.525. On floor, Dick took 12th with a score of 9.375 and Knick took 20th with a 9.1625.
In the all-around (no Becker athletes), Dick finished fourth with a combined score of 37.525 while Knick scored a 35.575 to take home 20th place.
