The Bulldog gymnastics team did their very best but could only manage a fifth place finish against excellent competition in the Section 7A gymnastics meet Saturday in Monticello. With Senior Miranda O’Brien leading the way with several high finishes, the Bulldogs managed a team score of 140.375.

 

Highly-favored (No. 2 state rated) Sartell took the championship and competed in the state team competition Friday in St. Paul. The Sabres had a 146.425 score. They were followed by Big Lake, 145.275; Monticello, 142.425; North Branch, 140.75; Becker; Chisago Lakes, 139.575; RPHF, 133.4; and Princeton, 127.225.

 

O’Brien had a fourth place finish in the beam, where she scored a 9.175; Lindsay Olsen had an 8.9. Following were Sarah Woelfel, 8.265 (a personal best), Amelia Kirchner, 8.35; and Emi Quill, 7.8. Brittney Krumrei of Big Lake won the event, scoring at 9.325.

 

On the floor exercise, Quill had a nice finish at 9.25. Thereafter followed Olsen, 9.1; O’Brien, 9.075; Woelfel, 9.025; and Kirchner, 8.85.

 

Aliah Williams of Chisago Lakes won the event, scoring 9.625.

 

“The team did another great job on floor,” said Coach Jenn Harmoning. “The only problem we had was that Miranda kicked out of her double back just a tad too early and ended up putting one knee down. She recovered well and finished the routine strongly.”

 

Olsen scored a 9.325 to lead the team on the vault. She finished fifth overall.

 

“The rest of the team did a nice job too,” said the coach. Sarah Woelfel had a close call on the event, knocking her head on the end of the vault table. She was able to compete her last event strongly.

 

O’Brien scored a 9.225 to finish second among Becker athletes (and ninth overall) on the event. Woelfel was 10th at 9.15; Kirchner, 8.9; and Quill, 7.525.

 

Abby Weber of Sartell won the event with a 9.55.

 

Becker’s last event of the tournament was on the bars, where O’Brien led them with an 8.55; Woelfel was at 8.3; Olson, 7.8; Keeley Holm, 7.575; and Quill, 7.525.

 

Williams, Chisago lakes, won the bars with a 9.475.

 

The all-around was won by Williams of Chisago Lakes with a 37.55. Becker’s top all-arounder was O’Brien, seventh in scoring a 36.025. Woelfel scored 35.15 and Olsen scored 35.125 to take 11th and 12th places in the event.

 

“Overall it was a good day for us,” said the coach. “There is a lot of pressure and a small margin for error in our section. All the girls certainly gained some great experience, which will help them a lot in future years. 

 

O’Brien and Olsen are the graduating seniors from the team.