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In one of the toughest gymnastics sections in the state, North Branch’s Dakota Esget and Ella Dick flew above the rest.

The Section 7A meet, which was held at North Branch last weekend, featured a second place all around finish from Esget, who won an individual event, and qualified for state in three, and a win and a top three finish for Dick in two events.

Esget, who is the reigning state champion in the Uneven Bars and the All-Around, won the floor exercise, finished second in the uneven bars and third on the vault. Her win on the floor was dominant, with the senior scoring a 9.575, almost .2 points clear of Allie Lu of Big Lake, who finished with a 9.4.

On the uneven bars, Esget, who will unveil her full routine at state, did plenty to qualify, scoring a 9.025 to finish second behind Lauren Hansen, of Monticello, who scored a 9.350.

On vault, Esget showed why she is such an all around accomplished athlete, scoring a 9.450 to finish in third place. She was just behind Dick, who won the event with a 9.55 and Hansen, who scored a 9.5.

In the all around, Esget came in just behind Hansen as well. Esget scored a 36.50 while Hansen tallied 37.10 to win the meet.

The two were neck and neck all day, but Hansen’s balance beam of 8.9 was the difference maker as Esget scored an 8.450.

Dick, who finished ninth in the all around with a 34.950, won the aforementioned vault with a fabulous score of 9.55 and then also qualified for the state meet on the balance beam, scoring a 9.25. She was only a fraction of a point away from Lu’s winning 9.30 score. 

As a team, North Branch came in fourth place with a score of 137.225, but the section is a tough as it gets in Class A. Monticello won it with a 144.575 and will be in contention for a team state title next week. Defending state champion Becker finished in second place and 2023 state champion Big Lake finished in third place.

Monticello is only behind Detroit Lakes in the rankings, but if they pull out a win, it would be the third straight year a team from the Mississippi 8 and from Section 7A wins the state team championship.

CHISAGO LAKES

Chisago Lakes suffered a tough blow the night before sections, finding out senior captain and multiple time state meet entrant Ella Rhein wouldn’t be able to participate in her penultimate high school gymnastics competition.

As a result, the ‘Cats didn’t advance anyone to the state meet, and finished in fifth place in Section 7A, nearly seven points behind NB’s fourth place score.

Chelsea Stipe was the only Wildcat to hit the podium, with the sophomore placing sixth on the vault with a score of 9.275.

Many of the athletes who had to step up in Rhein’s absence had career high scores and performed well for the ‘Cats in a tough environment.

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