Last Saturday’s State True Team meet was a great experience for the Becker Bulldog gymnastics team, as they competed strong against the best Class A teams in Minnesota.  Becker compiled 170.2 points to finish in seventh place out of the 10 team field, while Watertown-Mayer/Mound Westonka came away victorious with a score of 180.025.

“We came into the True Team State Meet ready to show up and show out!” Coach Kayla Kalinowski said. “Coming in ranked tenth in the state in a meet against the top ten Class A gymnastics teams in the state, we celebrated the fact that the only place we could go is up.”

Kalinowski’s team did just that, bettering three of the teams who had been ranked higher in the latest poll.

“We knew that most of these teams have qualified for the True Team State Meet the last few years and we were one of the only non-returning teams so we had to make a name for ourselves and prove we deserved to be there,” the coach said. “Our girls didn’t let the big environment and loud music scare them and had a fantastic meet.”

The True Team State meet has a different format than other meets, as there are no individual results kept, but instead five gymnasts per team compete in each event and all five scores count towards the final standings.

“This meet truly celebrates being a team,” Kalinowski added.

The Bulldogs started off the meet on floor, putting forth their best effort of the season.

“We were able to not only hit our tumbling, but we performed our routines and got the cheering section to set the tone for the rest of the meet,” Kalinowski said.

Floor scores for Becker included: Bella Kuschel (8.425), Lauren Woelfel (8.85), Sarah Woelfel and Chloe Spear (9.05), and Riley Norberg closed it off with a 9.125.

“Riley Norberg led the way again and let her senior leadership shine as she posted one of the highest vault scores of the entire meet.” Kalinowski said.

Next, the Bulldogs had an up and down performance on the vault, but Kalinowski pointed out Norberg’s performance as one that kept the Bulldogs with some momentum.

“Riley hit a beautiful pike tsuk to close out our rotation on a high,” Kalinowski said. Scores included: Tessa Maruska (8.35), Kuschel (8.1), Sarah Woelfel (8.675), Emma Hennessey (9.1), and Norberg (9.5).

The next event was bars and the Bulldogs held their own against some impressive routines from around the state. Theresa Johnson started things off with a 7.85, while Justine Vilmo fought hard through her routine for a 7.35. Next was Sarah Woelfel, who hit a great routine for an 8.275, followed by Norberg’s 8.125. Emma Hennessey closed out the event for Becker with a beautiful 8.35. 

The final event was the Beam, and Kalinowski felt they had their routines dialed in by that point.

“The girls really showed their focus and determination and rocked an amazing beam set,” the coach said.

Chloe Spear led off with what her coach called “a beautiful routine,” scoring an 8.35, while Hennessey followed with a 7.575. Sarah Woelfel (8.525), Lauren Woelfel (9.05) and Norberg (8.525) rounded out the scoring for Becker. 

“We had so many gymnasts step up and really show impressive maturity at a meet of that caliber and to not be intimidated by the big gymnastics and scores around us,” Kalinowski said. “Our girls were able to stay focused and in the zone, but still had a blast being able to cheer on other school and take in the whole experience.”