PIERRE – Aberdeen Central ended up sixth in the 12-team field at the Pierre Invitational Gymastics Meet on Saturday. The Golden Eagles finished with 131.450 points. Mitchell won the team title with 148.200.

“Many of the girls were struggling with a bit of a cold, but still went out and performed with everything they had,” said Central coach Mickey Everson. “We started on beam – not my favorite choice, but sometimes it’s best to get it done. We were not as solid as Thursday, but scored better in some cases.”

The Golden Eagles were also solid on the floor exercise, their next event.

“On floor we made some minor adjustments and they performed really well,” Everson said. “Every correction I gave them, they listened and did exactly what I asked.”

After a strong finish in vault, Central concluded the meet a bit bloodied and bruised on the bars.

“We finished on bars where we had some ‘rips’ (tears on the skin of their hands), soreness and chalk problems, but we improvised and did just fine,” Everson said. “These girls can really get through anything. Bloody hands, not being able to breath and aching muscles. … I’m proud of their perseverance and how hard they push to just do better.”

The Golden Eagles did not have any member place in the top eight. All of those places when to gymnasts from Mitchell and runner-up Harrisburg.

Central is back in action Saturday when it hosts the Hub City Invitational.