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The gymnastics bug bit Rush City and other areas in Chisago County during the cold weather.

Northern Flight gymnastics is located in Rush City. They have competitive gymnasts from North Branch, Rush City, Pine City, Stanchfield, Chisago, and Grantsburg, Wis. They have competitors in levels five through nine. Their coaches for these teams are Lara Lerud and Dianne Meier.

On December 13, 2008, the state meet for level five took place and December 14 was the state meet for level six.

There are over 50 teams throughout the state. The level five team placed ninth with a score of 107.125. Northern Flight has a very young level five team but proved they are very talented.

The level six team took first place and is the Minnesota champions in that division. The level six team dominated the meet this year held at the Bloomington Jefferson High School. "We were hopeful to win this state meet, but one of our best [girls] was out with an elbow injury and unable to compete," Northern Flight coaches said. "The rest of the team stepped up to the challenge very well and in the end we prevailed."

The top 5 team scores were as follows:

1st - Northern Flight

2nd - Classic Gymnastics

3rd - Perpetual Motion (Woodbury)

4th - Rising stars (Oakdale)

5th - Jam hops (Blaine)

Not only did they take home the team State championship but they also had two All-Around state champions and a second place finisher.

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