The Becker gymnastics team took time last Thursday to celebrate their phenomenal season, which included the program’s first MSHSL State Championship.
Head Coach Jen Harmoning and her assistants had numerous awards to distribute to student-athletes in the program, as the Bulldogs were extremely successful at all levels. Both the Varsity and JV Teams finished 6-1 in the M8, winning the conference titles.
Lauren Biegler, Chloe Spear and Lauren Woelfel were given “Perfect Attendance” awards, while the team had 13 gymnasts who were recognized with the Spotlight on Scholarship Award for their stellar GPA’s: Biegler, Lillian Bonsante, Sofia Bonsante, Hailey Deters, Hailey Duncombe, Emma Hennessey, Sabrina Jensen, Violet Johnson, Karli Kirk, Bella Kuschel, Spear, Woelfel, and Alison Woodard.
The M8 All-Conference Academic awards (GPA over 3.75 for Varsity performers) were presented to Karli Kirk, Bella Kuschel, Spear and Woelfel, with Woelfel being named the Scholar Athlete.
Participant recognition awards were given to Makayla Balut, Kameron Marquardt, Harper Miller, Sophia Otto, Violet Johnson, Lauren Biegler, Abbey Hennen, Sabrina Jensen, and Sofia Bonsante.
First year letter winners included Hailey Deters, Hailey Duncombe and Graning, while second year honorees were Lillian Bonsante, Kirk, and Woodard. Third year letter awards were given to Hennessey and Kuschel, while Spear earned her fourth letter. Woelfel capped a fine high school gymnastics career by earning her sixth letter award, while also winning a Captain’s Star pin along with Duncombe.
The JV Vaulter of the Year award went to Deters, while Violet Johnson earned JV Swinger of the Year. Sabrina Jensen was named JV Beamer of the Year, while Woodard captured the JV Tumbler of the Year award. The “Sticky Feet” winner was Hennessey for her ability to stick her landings.
In the All-State award category, Graning earned honors in both Vault and Floor, while Kirk was named in the Vault.
In the All-State Honorable Mention category, the Bulldogs cashed in with the following: Graning - bars, beam, all-around; Hennessey – beam; Kirk – bars, beam, floor, all-around; Kuschel – floor; Spear - vault, beam, floor, all-around; and Woelfel – vault, bars, beam, floor, all-around.
Graning was honored for her State Tournament Individual appearances, including All-Around (18th), Vault (24th), Bars (21st), Beam (43rd) and Floor (39th). Hennessey finished ninth in the state in Vault, while Kirk was seventh in Vault and 19th on the Bars. Woelfel received recognition for her state title on the Beam.
The final group of awards were the ones selected by the team, including Graning (Most Dedicated), Hennessey (Most Improved), and Woodard (Most Spirited).
Congratulations to the team and coaches on a championship season!