January 12, 2012 at 8:42 a.m.
Wildcats mash Heights, show well at Big Lake
Wildcats mash Heights, show well at Big Lake
In years past, going up against Cambridge-Isanti pretty much meant that the Wildcats were competing against themselves.
The Bluejackets have been perennial state powerhouses for a decade now, and although they are still a tough team, they were within range of the Wildcats' scoring when the two teams sqaured off on Tuesday, Jan. 3
The 'Cats started out on vault and actually took an early lead. Nicole Bean scored an 8.5 to lead the way on vault. Sam Thomsen came in at 8.3 and Reba Berg scored an 8.225. Betsy Howerton finished off the varsity scoring for the event with an 8.150.
The foursome combined for a score of 33.175 while Cambridge-Isanti's foursome on the uneven bars score a 32.875.
However, when the two events flipped, the Bluejackets made their early move. They scored 33.450 on the vault while Chisago Lakes was only able to register a 30.525 on the uneven bars.
Thomsen turned in a sensational 8.425 on the bars, but she was the only girl to score higher than 7.5. Courtney Schlegel hit the 7.5 mark, Alicia Sokol scored a 7.350 and Berg scored a 7.250.
The Bluejackets put the meet out of reach in the third event. While Chisago Lakes had their usual struggles on beam, Cambridge-Isanti got their highest score of the day in the floor exercise.
Bean was the only Wildcat to score over 7.1 on the beam, earning an 8.1. Thomsen had a 7.025, Schlegel had a 6.9 and Sokol rounded out the scoring with a 6.35. The Jackets scored a 33.850 on the floor and led by over eight points going into the last event, a virtually insurmountable lead against a team with the talent of Cambridge-Isanti.
Although the Wildcats scored a respectable 32.9 on the floor, it wasn't enough to even make a dent in C-I's lead, as they scored 33.05 on the balance beam.
Thomsen, Bean and Sokol led the way for the Wildcats with Madeline Carlson rounding out the varsity scores on the floor with an 8.0.
Thomsen scored tops in the all-around, earning a 32.2 while Bean had a 32.025. Hannah Haight was C-I's only all-around performer -- flaunting their depth -- and she scored a 31.675.
Chisago Lakes 125.200, Columbia Heights 83.425
In the opposite way of Cambridge-Isanti, whenever Columbia Heights comes to town, the 'Cats are still usually competing against just themselves.
That's only because the Hylanders haven't cracked 100 in years and are typically in the 80 point range. This year was no different.
It was at least close after one event when the Hylanders scored 27.6 on the vault while the 'Cats scored 30.875 on the uneven bars.
Bean and Thomsen scored over eight and Sokol and Schlegel added scores over 7.2.
The meet was over after the second event though. While Chisago Lakes was scoring 32.925 on the vault, Heights stumbled and bumbled their way to a 16 on the uneven bars, giving CL a 20 point cushion.
All five Wildcats scored over eight on the vault, led by Berg's 8.325.
Again, the girls all did well on the floor, with everyone registering a score over 7.5. Beane's 8.075 was the top score.
On the balance beam, Thomsen scored a 7.825 and Howerton got a 7.55. Bean scored a 7.5 and Schlegel notched a 7.05.
Columbia Heights didn't register another score over 21.1 the rest of the way, and they only had two individual scores over 6.9.
Big Lake Invitational
The Wildcats registered one of their best scores of the season when they participated in the four-team Big Lake Invitational last weekend.
They even registered their first two 34's of the year. The first one came on the floor exercise in the opening event for CL.
Bean, Thomsen, Howerton and Berg all scored over 8.4, led by Beans 8.7 and Thomsen's 8.6.
In their second event, the Wildcats broke 34 again, scoring that on the dot in the vault. Sokol had an 8.6 to lead the Wildcats while Howerton and Bean both scored 8.5's. Schlegel finished up the varsity scoring with an 8.4.
The 'Cats worst event of the day came on the uneven bars. Thomsen was the only girl over eight with an 8.1. Bean was right at the threshold, scoring a 7.95. Schlegel scored a 7.5 and Berg had a 7.2.
The girls made a nice recovery on the balance beam. In what has traditionally been their toughest event, the 'Cats scored a 32.400. Thomsen led the way again with an 8.7, Sokol had an 8.3 and Schlegel had an 8. It's the first time the girls have had a trio above eight on the beam in a while.
Carlson and Berg both scored 7.4's to finish out the scoring.
In the all-around, Thomsen, Sokol and Bean were fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively. Bean scored a 33.5, Sokol had a personal record with 32.1 and Bean scored a 32.05. A Big Lake trio swept the top three spots.
Courtney Schlegel also set a personal record in the all around with a 31.500.
On the team front, the Hornet of Big Lake won the meet, scoring a 141.550, Chisago Lakes finished second with their 131.3 which is their top score of the year, Annandale finished in third with a 126.75 and Minneapolis Southwest came in fourth with a score of 110.85.
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