ST. PAUL – The Worthington Trojans scored 140.525 and placed fifth at the Minnesota Class A state gymnastics meet on Friday evening. The meet was won by Big Lake with a score of 147.65. Second place was awarded to Detroit Lakes with a score of 146.15.
The Trojans started the state meet on the floor event, and followed with the vault. Both events have been great strengths of the WHS team this season. The Trojans had a team score of 36.1 on floor and a score of 36.475 on vault.
Kelsey Soleta delivered another steady performance as the opening performer and scored 8.7. Olivia Barber was awarded an 8.975 for her performance. Bullerman’s performance scored 9.175. Addison Gerber paced the Trojans as the final performer with a score of 9.25.
“I am very proud of our girls today. It was nice to start with our strong routines to build confidence,” said Worthington coach Joni Reitmeier.
On vault, the order of Trojan performers were Barber, Gerber, Cristy Banegas, Soleta, and Bullerman. The Trojans first passes were scored better than their second.
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Gerber scored an 8.8 for the Trojans on her first pass. Banegas scored 9.0 on her first. Soleta scored a 9.35 on her second pass which improved her first score by 0.025. Bullerman scored 9.325 on both attempts.
The Trojans third event was the uneven parallel bars. The bars event is not the strongest event for WHS, but the Trojans still had quality performances. Soleta started WHS on the event with a score of 7.875. Gerber went second for WHS on the event and scored 7.725. Olivia Barber had a strong performance and scored 8.425. Bullerman was the final Trojan performer and had the highest score with an 8.7. The team score on the event for WHS was 32.725.
The final event for the Trojans was the balance beam. The beam has historically been a great strength of the Trojans gymnastics team. This season has been a different tune as Trojans gymnasts have struggled throughout the season to stick their routine. At the state meet the Trojans showed their brilliance on the beam with a team score of 35.225.
“It was so awesome to finish strong,” said Reitmeier who had four of her five gymnasts stick their beam routine without a fall. “They fought for it with every little thing they did. They worked as a team, and it was a good way to end the season.”
Soleta started the Trojans in the final event with a score of 8.075. Banegas scored 8.275. Gerber had a strong routine which scored 8.75. Barber, who has been consistent on the beam all season, scored an 8.925. Bullerman was the final performer and had the highest team scored routine at 9.125.
The scoring at the state meet is done differently than at typical meets. At a regular season meet there will be two judges on each event, at the state meet there are four judges for each event. Reitmeier said that the added eyes can lead to nerves and stresses but that ultimately that it is not a worry.
“All we worry about is our team and that we put the girls in a position to do a good job,” said Reitmeier.
All members of the Worthington Trojans varsity gymnastics team will return for the Class A individual state tournament on Saturday.
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