Trunk shines on parents night, Olson honored

North Branch 132.85, St. Louis Park 118.625

The Vikings wrapped up second place in the North Suburban Conference by topping St. Louis Park easily last week.

It was an emotional meet for the Vikings, as it was parents night and they were bidding farewell to longtime varsity gymnast Ariana Olson, who is a senior this year. “She has been a longstanding great addition to the gymnastics team, and she’ll be leaving us with many school records,” Head Coach Barb Burdick said. Unfortunately, Olson had a minor injury in her leg that prevented her from competing in all of the events, although she was able to get a little work in front of her last home crowd.

She finished second on the balance beam and third on the uneven bars in her limited action.

Freshman Katy Trunk took first on vault with a school record 9.425, first on the uneven bars, first on beam and second on the floor exercise. Her all-around of 35.15 was one-tenths of a point away from the school record.

Junior Bayley Ertl was close behind, finishing first on floor, second on vault, fourth on the bars and second overall.

Maranda Nelson completed the one-two-three sweep in the all around for the Vikings, placing third on vault, second on bars and third on the floor.

Burdick wanted to thank Chisago Lakes for helping the Vikings this season since they don’t have a home gym since the Main Street School was demolished last year. CL hosted North Branch’s ‘home’ meets throughout the season.

The Vikes now have sections to look forward to, which begin next week on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Trunk, Ertl and Olson all have shots at going to the state meet, and it will be a first in a long time that the Vikings would be represented at the Xcel Energy Center since they recently moved down to Class A.