The Worthington gymnastics team achieved an impressive score of 141.275 in their victory over Redwood Valley on Thursday night. This win marks a significant moment as the team prepares for a crucial stretch of the season, including the upcoming Big South Championship on February 3, 2024, in Blue Earth.
Head coach Joni Reitmeier expressed her satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting their consistency in surpassing the 140 mark in recent meets. As the team approaches the Big South Championship, Reitmeier is focused on managing training to ensure the athletes remain healthy and ready for competition. “I think we’ve got to try to limit reps in the gym tomorrow, but yet work on the things that need to be fixed before Saturday,” she stated.
The Trojans began the meet strongly, particularly on the uneven bars, where they delivered five solid routines. Lucy Thier secured the highest score of the meet with an 8.7, followed closely by Jada Milbrath with 8.65. Other noteworthy performances included Claire Meyer at 8.35, Isabella Lazzu at 8.3, and Olivia Bullerman at 7.9.
The vault proved to be another standout event for Worthington. Bullerman and Milbrath dominated the rankings, each executing impressive tsukahara vaults, scoring 9.275 and 9.1, respectively. Lazzu contributed with a score of 9.075, while Phomsatry and Thier scored 8.925 and 8.7.
On the balance beam, the team encountered a few challenges but managed to score well overall. Meyer led with an 8.75, with Thier following closely at 8.7. Milbrath, Dykstra, and Lazzu rounded out the scores with 8.625, 8.55, and 7.75, respectively.
Despite some mishaps during the floor routines, Thier and Lazzu showcased remarkable performances, scoring 9.425 and 9.325. Reflecting on the overall performance, Reitmeier noted, “Overall, I think it was a really good meet. It was a good practice run, because we have a really big meet coming up on Saturday, so we have to get back in the gym and fix a few things.”
In the all-around competition, Thier emerged as the top scorer with a total of 35.525. Milbrath followed in third place with 34.65, while Lazzu scored 34.45. Redwood Valley’s Brynn Green placed second with a score of 34.675.
Reitmeier praised the team’s development since the beginning of the season, emphasizing their growing teamwork and confidence. “Our lead offs have been really solid for us on all four events, and I think that now, it’s catching fire,” she remarked. The coach highlighted the importance of strong performances from the first gymnasts in each event, stating, “When they hit it just makes the other girls at ease and it’s kind of a good snowball effect.”
The meet also served as a farewell to the team’s two seniors, Elizabeth Lazzu and Jana Sola Garcia, an exchange student from Barcelona, Spain, marking a poignant moment in the Trojans’ season. As the team looks ahead, they remain focused on their upcoming competitions, aiming to maintain their momentum and build on their successes.
