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River Falls Invite

After 15 years of second places and third places, the Chisago Lakes gymnastics team finally claimed the first place crown at the River Falls Invite on Saturday, January 13. The Wildcats scored 134.925, edging out host River Falls, who scored 133.175.

Ella Rhein placed first in the all around and it came with a 9.2 highlight in the uneven bars, which was a season high for her. ‘’She needed an outstanding routine and she did it,” Head Coach Brett Kjos said. “She has been getting stronger and stronger as the season has progressed. She should be ready for sections.”

Rhein also won the floor exercise, and Chelsea Stipe came in third place. Rhein scored a 9.325 and Stipe had a personal best 8.85. Rhein was the only competitor who scored over nine on both the floor and uneven bars.

Charlotte Johnson also had a great meet for the Wildcats, scoring a 33.45 on the all around, which was good for sixth place in the meet. Her finish was highlighted by a third place on the balance beam.

“It was awesome to see the girls’ hard work in practice start to pay off in meets,” Kjos explained.

Cambridge-Isanti 137.20, Chisago Lakes 135.575

The Wildcats tried to slay their second giant of the week with a win over longtime powerhouse Mississippi 8 opponent Cambridge-Isanti, but the Bluejackets had other ideas as they held off upset-minded CL.

The ‘Cats actually won two events, edging out C-I by a fraction in the vault and by almost a full point in the floor exercise. But, the Jackets won the uneven bars convincingly and finished just ahead of CL on the balance beam, but that was the difference.

Rhein was in a shootout with C-I’s Aubrey Wilson for the all around title in the meet, but Wilson just beat her out with a 36.0 to Rhein’s 35.575. Stipe had a 33.85 and Johnson was just behind with a 33.725.

“This was a really nice meet for us even if we came up just a little bit short,” Kjos said. “We just had a few too many falls on beam, which cost us 1.5 points. But, we had a chance still.”

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