For the last four years, Worthington gymnast Christina Sorensen has spent the final weekend of the season in St. Paul, competing in the state gymnastics championships.
Her fifth, and final, year will be no different.
Sorensen and teammate Kayla Block, along with Jackson County Central's Briel Hendricksen (on the floor), are heading to the state individual meet Saturday at the RiverCentre in St. Paul.
For Sorensen, competing in the all-around, having a teammate there with her during the trip makes it much more enjoyable.
"I'm really excited to have somebody up there with me, because usually it's just myself, and it's not quite as fun," Sorensen said.
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As for Block, who will be taking part on the vault and beam in her first individual state appearance, the feelings are mutual when talking about going with Sorensen.
"It's really exciting to be able to compete with her," Block said. "She's been wonderful in the gym."
The appearances by Sorensen and Block continue an astounding trend by the Worthington Trojans gymnastics program. Since 1991, Worthington has been represented either in the team competition or the individual competition in each state tournament.
"It's unbelievable," Worthington head coach Shelly Eklund said. "I think some of that has to do with the fact that there are kids who love the sport. Not to mention the fact there are a lot of kids who have gymnastics talent."
It also helps to have some of the breaks go your way. After three gymnasts fell during the opening floor event, Worthington entered two bye periods. The byes allowed the Trojans to regroup, put the stumbles of the floor behind them, and focus on the remaining events.
Sorensen, who was one of the gymnasts who had the rough start on the floor for WHS, felt the byes came at exactly the right time.
"We thought about the floor for a little while, then decided that we're not going to let this be the end," she said. "We have most of the meet left, let's come back strong."
The state tournament is the culmination of a season's worth of hard work and discipline for the gymnasts, all of whom hope for one last strong score before putting their season -- or career -- behind them.
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"It's a reward for all the work that you've done all season," Eklund said. "They've made it, they can go in and, no matter how they do, they've made it to state."
