---

The North Branch gymnastics team fell just short of their goal of making it to the state tournament, but they still sent three of their gymnasts to the individual state meet.

They earned their berths at the the Section 7A meet last week in Big Lake. The team berth went to Becker, who scored 141.875 in a tight race for the top. Second place went to Sartell-St. Stephen with 141.525, Monticello finished third with a 141.325 and North Branch came in fourth with 141.15. That means .7 points was the difference between fourth place and a section championship, or the equivalent of one fall.

Keeley Ertl highlighted the individual finishes. She qualified for the state tourney in the vault, floor and all-around. Her vault was a 9.475, which was good enough for third place in the event. On the floor, Ertl tied with three other girls for first place to send all four to state. Their scores were all a similar 9.25.

In the all-around, Ertl finished third with a 36.05. Abby Weber of Sartell-St. Stephen won the all around with a 37.375.

On balance beam, both Angie Fish and Alexys Olson earned trips to the state meet. Fish, a sophomore, scored a 9.35 to finish second to Weber. Olson came in fourth with a 9.225, just edging out her eighth grade teammate Paige Bauer for the final state spot.

“It was great to have three qualify in the individuals in such a tough section,” Head Coach Chris Johnson said. “Last year it was just one so we are gaining ground in the individual.”
The girls will participate in the state gymnastics meet on Saturday, February 25 at 11 a.m. at the University of Minnesota Sports Pavilion. Ertl will open with vault, bars, then all three in beam and Ertl will finish on the floor.

Chisago Lakes finished eighth
The Wildcats came in eighth place out of 10 teams, scoring a 125.575. “We were hoping for seventh, but Zimmerman was a bit better than I expected,” Head Coach Brett Kjos said.

Claudia Stipe was CL’s highlight, finishing in the top 10 on bars. “She had an outstanding first year for the team,” Kjos said.

The ‘Cats will lose seniors Izzy Hindt, Maddie Audette and Payton Nelson. “They’ve been on the team since middle school and will be greatly missed,” Kjos explained.

---