PIERRE – Competition got underway with team titles at stake during the Class AA and Class A State Gymnastics Meet in Pierre.
Mitchell won the Class AA team title, while Estelline-Hendricks claimed the Class A team crown.
Aberdeen Central finished eighth in the AA standings, competing as a full team for the first time since 2021.
“The meet went well. I told the girls no matter what happened, we made it this far so all they had to do was perform and the coaches would be proud of what they have done this season,” said Central coach Mickey Everson. “We started off strong on vault. Bars had a few uncharacteristic stops and low scores. Beam had some highlights and some falls. On floor, the girls did fantastic, but again…low scores.”
Everson said the point totals ranged considerably lower than the team’s past couple of meets.
“Although it didn’t all go exactly as we wanted, I know they did everything I asked of them and worked so hard to get to this point,” Everson said.
Meanwhile, the Braves of Britton-Hecla finished middle of the pack, taking fourth in Class A, with Deuel finishing sixth.
“We had a great day and a true team effort,” said Britton-Hecla coach Angela Grupe. “We started on beam and had a very solid performance and that created the momentum for the rest of the day. We had a season-high score today.”
The Braves will have a strong delegation competing in the individual portion of the state meet today.
“I have a special bunch of kids on this team,” Grupe said, “and will be graduating three seniors that have excelled in leading our team.”
Central is also looking forward to its final day of competition today.
“We will come in (Saturday) and let the individual qualifiers shine,” Everson said. “Some of them are even wearing some ‘retro’ uniforms from when I competed. It will just be a fun day to do gymnastics.”
Class AA Team Points: 1, Mitchell, 151.444; 2, Harrisburg, 149.995; 3, O’Gorman, 140.512; 4, Watertown, 140.495; 5, Brookings 139.380; 6, Pierre, 137.811; 7, Yankton, 136.809; 8, Aberdeen Central, 132.379.
Class A Team Points: 1, Estelline-Hendricks, 142.596; 2, Madison, 138.911; 3, Hot Springs, 136.461; 4, Britton-Hecla, 134.794; 5, Parkston-Ethan-Hanson-Mount Vernon, 134.730; 6, Deuel, 132.212; 7, Chamberlain, 130.427; 8, Vermillion, 127.127.
