The Bulldog girls gymnastics team traveled to Eagan last Friday and fell to the Wildcats in a closely-fought battle.  

 

 

“It was good to go against tough competition and to also compete in an area we don't normally travel to,” said Head Coach Jen Harmoning.  “This allowed us to be judged by judges we haven't ever had before too.  Overall, it was a great experience and a pretty good meet.”

 

On vault, Becker had “hits” from all five gymnasts.

 

Miranda O’Brien captured a first place tie with a score of 9.4. Lindsay Olsen took third with a 9.2 and Katie Wilke fifth with a 9.125.

 

Kassidy Severson notched a 9.05 and Haley Hubbard an 8.825 to round out Becker’s scores on vault.

 

Becker had four of five “hit” bar routines and Harmoning’s team is slowly growing in confidence each week on the apparatus.  

 

“We are going to be working really hard in the next two weeks to be so consistent that we can confidently feel as though we will hit all five routines,” she said.  “It is very important to the team momentum to have hit after hit.”  

 

Bars, Friday was the only event in which the Bulldogs did not break into the top five places.  

 

“We just needed to have better execution in order to make that happen, and we had too many missed tenths on landing deductions.

 

Marlee Louden was Becker’s top bar gymnast with an 8.5. She was followed by O'Brien with an 8.475, Emi Quill with an 8.4, Olsen with an 8.1 and Aubree Lahr with a 6.85.

 

“Beam was a little bit shaky overall,” said Harmoning. “Although we only had to count one fall.”

 

O'Brien nailed her routine once again and won the routine with a 9.525. Wilke captured fifth with an 8,9, Louden scored an 8.5, Olsen an 8.425 and Hubbard an 8.425.

 

The team finished well on floor, hitting all five routines and having a blast performing.  

 

“We received lots of compliments from the Eagan fans, which always feels good to know people are enjoying what you're putting out there,” Harmoning said.

 

Hubbard captured a second place tie with a 9.474. O’Brien was solid and took fourth with a 9.3. Olsen sparkled and scored a 9.175, she was followed by Severson’s 8.925 and Lahr’s 8.8.

 

O'Brien was able to cap off a great night with a win in the all-around with a score of 36.7. Olsen took fourth with a 34.9.

 

The Bulldogs have just the Granite Ridge Conference Championships remaining  today (Saturday) at noon at Maple Lake High School. Then they compete in the Section 7A Championship next Saturday (Feb. 19) at Big Lake

 

High School to determine which team advances to the state tournament.

 

“We hope to have lots of fans,” said Harmoning.