There will be a local presence at the state gymnastics meet.
While no team took the Section 3A championship -- that honor went to Martin County West -- three area gymnasts advanced to the state individual competition.
Leading the way was Worthington's Christina Sorensen. The senior bounced back from a fall during her floor routine -- one of three to have such an opening result on the floor -- and qualified on the vault (fourth, 9.075), bars (fourth, 8.85), beam (first, 9.4) and the all-around (fourth, 35.675).
It was a recovery that left WHS head coach Shelly Eklund highly satisfied.
"Just the fact that she picked her chin up and did phenomenally on the others shows just how much of a true-blue athlete she is," Eklund said.
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Kayla Block also advanced to the state meet on the vault (first, 9.15) and the beam (fourth, 8.925).
Eklund was happiest with how her team rebounded after her team's opening problems on the floor, where three competitors fell.
"We started out on floor and had a tough start," she said. "We regrouped and went to the vault. From the first (gymnast) to the last, they were a totally different team."
JCC sent one girl to the state meet as Briel Hendricksen qualified with a 9.175 on the floor (fourth place).
The individual competition at the state tournament is Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Paul.
Team scores: 1. MCW, 142.175 points; 2. JCC, 138.375; 3. WHS, 136.9; 4. New Ulm, 134.775; 5. Marshall, 128.825; 6. Redwood Valley, 128.475; 7. Luverne, 125.825; 8. Pipestone Area, 123.45; 9. St. James, 120.45; 10. Windom Area, 114.025.
