The Becker Bulldog gymnastics team finished up a wildly successful regular season last weekend by earning second place in the Section 7A tournament, and in the process three of Coach Jen Harmoning’s performers qualified for the state individual tournament.

Karli Kirk (vault), Emma Hennessey (vault) and Lauren Woelfel (beam) all scored high enough to earn a place among the elite gymnasts competing for state titles at the MSHSL Class A championships held February 24-25 in St. Paul.

Becker started their rotation on vault, an area Harmoning predicted could bring success.

For individual events at Sections, the top three all-around scorers make the tournament in each event and are joined by the next three finishers in each category.

“I knew that we had a couple of athletes that had a great chance to qualify individually to the state tournament on vault,” Harmoning said, while noting that scores on this event can increase as the day goes on. “I did notice scores escalating in later rotations, but our two best vaulters both stuck fabulous vaults and their scores were able to hold up throughout all the competitors.”

Kirk put together a new personal record (9.425) to place fourth and earn a spot at state in that event, while Hennessey was very close behind with a fifth place (9.4) that also made the state tournament cut.

Next was the bars event and the Bulldogs were dealt a blow when senior Cassie Larson was injured at practice the day before and was unable to compete.

“This was devastating for her and for the team because she has given her all to improve her bar routine and be prepared to deliver a qualifying-worthy performance,” Harmoning said.  “She was looking so great in practices and she has worked so hard, that it just broke all of our hearts when she couldn’t perform.”

Kirk (8.4) finished a team best seventh in the event, while Hennessey was 10th with an 8.15.

The third rotation was beam and while the Bulldogs ended up counting one fall, they picked up what their coach called “three stellar performances” from Kirk (8.875 - 7th), Hennessey (8.925 - 6th) and Woelfel (9.225 - 3rd).

“Hennessey’s score was a new personal record for her,” Harmoning said.  “Woelfel competed her best routine of the season even though the score did not match, but it was good enough to qualify her for an individual trip to state.”

The final event for Becker was floor and Harmoning commented “we had several girls who were right up there close to qualifying in the standings, which is hopefully really motivating for those kids to see how close they were this year.”

Woelfel finished seventh (8.95), Hennessey ninth (8.875) and Bella Kuschel was 10th (8.85).

For the all-around competition, Harmoning noted that “we were right up there in the standings and did not miss out on a state berth by a whole lot.  I hope the results really add fuel and motivation for them to really go after it next year.”

Hennessey was fifth overall at 35.35, followed by the sixth place Woelfel (34.925) and Kirk (seventh at 34.775).

Complete details on the three Bulldogs’ search of a top finish at the MSHSL Class A state individual championships will be carried in next week’s Patriot.