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Both Chisago Lakes and North Branch have shown flashes of brilliance this year on the gymnastics mats, but both have also had tough stretches for multiple meets.

When they took on each other on Tuesday, January 15, it was Chisago Lakes’ night to shine, as they set a season-high in their score, while North Branch struggled in their events.

The Wildcats opened their meet with a strong performance on vault. They were led by Claudia Stipe’s 9.225, but also got scores in the mid-8s from Karley Aki, Elsa Leopold and Averi Garscia.

Meanwhile, North Branch had just an average run on the vault. Their top score was an 8.675 from Paige Bauer, and and 8.425 from Ashley Robillard and an 8.3 from Ceriann Istvanovich. CL grabbed a near full point lead after the vault, and it only grew after the uneven bars. CL got an 8.825 from Stipe and and 8.8 from Leopold which really buoyed them in the event as Aliah Williams scored only an 8.15 and Garscia a 7.95.

On North Branch’s side, they only had one score over eight, and that was Bekah Fish’s 8.4. Angie Fish scored a 7.850, Bauer had a 7.625 and Robillard came in with a 7.525.

The lead kept growing into the balance beam. Williams highlighted CL’s event, scoring an 8.775, and Leopold scored an 8.650. Stipe registered an 8.350, and Ann Nelson scored an 8.0 to contribute to the varsity score.

North Branch got big performances from Bauer, who scored an 8.7 and Angie Fish, who came in with an 8.525.

Going into the floor exervise, Chisago Lakes knew they had a strong routine to lead with. Williams had struggled coming back from her shoulder injury in other events, but she has been in top notch form on the floor, and she didn’t disappoint, scoring a 9.475. Stipe backed that up with a great 9.1, and Leopold was so close to the 9.0 threshold also, scoring an 8.975.

North Branch had a nice showing on the floor also, with two girls scoring over 9.0 in Bauer and Bekah Fish. Angie Fish was right there also, with an 8.9. Robillard rounded out the varsity scores with an 8.425.

In the all around, Stipe scored a personal best 35.5 to win the meet. Leopold was second with a 34.825, and Bauer was third with a 34.225.

“All of the hard work the girls have been doing in practice is starting to pay off.  Almost every meet this season we have scored higher than the last,” Chisago Lakes Head Coach Brett Kjos said after the meet. “This was such a great meet for our team.”

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