PREP GYMNASTICS: Nowatzki narrowly wins all-around title in LHS’s meet against St. James

LUVERNE — Gretchen Nowatzki could have declared her chances at an all-around title over after a seventh place showing in the uneven parallel bars.

Instead, she won the balance beam event and placed second with her floor routine to nudge out teammate Kaitlyn VanMeeteren for the all-around crown, helping the Luverne gymnastics team top St. James 118.075 to 109.975 on Tuesday.

Nowatzki finished with a total of 29.650, including first place finishes in the vault with a score of 8.925 points and the balance beam with a score of 8.375.

VanMeeteren’s best finish was second in the balance beam, her all-around second place score of 29.325 based more on her overall consistency throughout all four events.

LHS’ Paige Pierce was third in the all-around category with a score of 29.225, including a first-place finish in the floor event.

The Cardinals also took fourth in the all-around category, thanks to Lauren Witte’s score of 28.875. Witte was third in the vault, bars and floor events.

The fifth through ninth place finishers in the all-around category were all gymnasts from St. James.

Ashley Olsen achieved fifth-place finishes for Luverne in the vault and balance beam events.

In the JV competition, Erin Sietsema paced Luverne to win the all-around category with a score of 24.100.

Sietsema won the floor routine with a score of 6.600, and was third in the balance beam and in the vault.

LHS’ Hannah Swier was second all-around with a score of 21.700, including a first-place finish in the bars with a score of 5.100, and teammate Makayla Bakken was close behind in third with a score of 21.600.

Bakken’s top finish was third in the bars.

Autumn Altman placed second for the Cardinals in three events — the vault, the bars and the balance beam — but did not compete in the floor event.

Olson placed second in the JV floor event, and LHS’ Allison Boltjes finished in fourth place in the event.

The Cardinals will travel to Pipestone Area on Jan. 14.

Tags: sports, prep, gymnastics, luverne