February 18, 2016 at 4:29 p.m.
Ertl lone state qualifier in new, tough section gauntlet
Ertl lone state qualifier in new, tough section gauntlet
Previously, in Section 5A, North Branch’s stiffest competition came from the Rush City/Pine City/Hinckley-Finlayson co-op.
This season, however, the Vikings were in Section 7A, and RC/PC/HF came with them, so they didn’t even escape them. They joined the fifth-ranked team in Class A Becker, the eighth-ranked team from Sartell-St. Stephen, 11th ranked Big Lake and 21st ranked Monticello.
Not only did it make it tougher for the team, it made it tougher to push individuals through with a section populated with so many talented competitors.
“I was happy at where the gymnasts were at going into sections but was aware that we would need to hit all routines on all events to make it to state as a team,” Head Coach Chris Johnson said. “We were switched to a new section this year with some of the top teams in the state. I was hoping to be one of the top teams.”
The Vikings started on vault and did well to open the meet. Johnson has hopeful they’d keep their momentum going through the uneven bars as their second event. It had been one of their best events all year, but unfortunately they faltered a bit in sections.
On the balance beam, the girls kept their falls to a minimum. In fact, they fell less than they had all year, but their scores did not quite reflect the clean routines, but the damage had been done on the uneven bars.
“I told the girls I was very proud of their success on the beam after their falls on the bars,” Johnson said. “It’s very difficult to put an event behind you and move on to an event that takes a significant amount of concentration.
By the end of the meet, the Vikings had tallied enough points to finish third with 141.3, but Becker claimed the state tournament berth.
As individual scores, Keeley Ertl was the star for NB. She tied for first on the vault, fifth on the beam, second on the floor and third in the all around.
Ertl really made a big jump this year as an all-around gymnast. “Keeley is a strong athlete and has amazing talents as a gymnast. Her section meet is a demonstration of how well you can perform when you practice hard every day and never miss a practice,” Johnson said. “I am very proud of her for advancing to state but more proud of her for the person she is including always being positive, respectful and a caring young lady. We will be working hard in the gym this week to perfect her routines.”
Ertl’s state gymnastics saga will begin on Saturday, February 20 at 11 a.m. She’ll be on vault first, followed by uneven bars, balance beam and floor.
The Vikings just missed on a few other gymnasts joining Ertl at state. Mikayla Johnson, a senior who has been a state staple the last two years, finished seventh in the vault and Alexys Olson came in fifth on the uneven bars.
Those are girls who previously had made the state tournament in their respective events, and the section switch really affected them adversely.
But, Johnson is excited for the future of gymnastics past this weekend’s state tournament and Ertl’s performance.
She noted that the program will be moving their meets back home after the district purchased new equipment. The Vikings have been holding their home meets at Chisago Lakes since the Main Street School was demolished a half decade ago.
“This change will allow the gymnastics program to grow, allow for home meets and hopefully attract more gymnasts,” Johnson said. “We have a very strong young gymnastics team of club girls who will eventually filter into the high school program and continue the success of the North Branch gymnastics program.”
Chisago Lakes
The Wildcats were also moved to the brutal section in which seven of the 10 teams are ranked in the top 20.
They had a few strong individual scores, including an 8.85 from Izzy Hindt on the floor exercise and an 8.4 from Savannah Gorski on the vault, but they didn’t qualify anyone for state. Hindt was their top finisher in the all-around, scoring 33.1 points to finish in 15th place.
As a team, the ‘Cats scored 125.275, which was good enough for sixth out of the 10 teams.
“The girls did a great job at sections. We have a tough section but they still got one of their top scores of the season,” Head Coach Alex Thomsen said. “We went from a score of 113 at our first meet to 125 at sections which is a huge improvement.”
The first-year coach went through a few of her varsity competitors and what they brought to the team this year.
“We are so glad that Izzy decided to come out for the team this year as she has been one of our most valuable gymnasts.
“Savannah Gorski has had a fantastic season and we're very excited to see her compete next year.
“Maddie Audette has been a big asset to our team both in gymnastics and as a team leader.
“Payton Nelson has been battling injuries but she has really pushed through for her team and is also one of our most valuable gymnasts.
“Callie Schlegel has been so fun to watch this year because she's come very far since the beginning of the season.
“Although Natalie Silver struggled with some sickness midseason she stepped it up at the end of the season, and we are excited to see her compete next year!
“Lydia Trandahl was our youngest gymnast to compete at sections, she is a very hard worker and we can see her becoming a great gymnast in the future.
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