Gymnasts finish strong at home

By JOHN RAASCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm Eagles Gymnastics team finished their home season strong on Tuesday night. The Eagles beat out Martin County West by a score of 136.05 to 129.15. New Ulm was helped out by some strong individual and team performances.

The girls eclipsed the old school record for the floor exercise by 25 hundredths of a point to set the bar a little higher at 35.925. Amber Bianchi, and Christine Otis led the team on the floor exercises with a 9.325 and 9.3 respectively. They were followed closely by Allie Betsch, Kristin Johnson and Megan Grussendorf who each scored an 8.65.

Allie Betsch nearly beat a long standing individual all around record. She scored a 35.4 all around. The old school record was set back in 1985 at 35.9 by Kathy Kretsch.

Although the season at home may be over these young ladies still have a long way to go. Next Wednesday they travel to Worthington for their final regular season meet.

The Conference meet is one week later. The girls are undefeated in their conference and are looking to win the conference meet. This gymnastics team has been consistently scoring in the 130's for most of the season and scored 136's at the last two meets. Coach thinks this will be enough to take the conference.

Four days after the conference meet, Saturday, Feb. 15, the girls plan on traveling to Luverne for the Section 3A meet. Coach Jeanine Backer is optimistic about the team's chances. The team fell a little more on the balance beam than they should have. "If the girls can improve on the balance beam I believe that we can score in the 137 area." said Backer. If the team place well in the section meet they could go to the state meet.

That would be a happy finish for New Ulm Senior Christine Otis. She has five varsity letters for gymnastics, has been all-state vault and floor exercise, academic honors and is the team captain. "She is a solid all around gymnast and we'll miss her next year." said Backer of Otis.

Varsity Results

Vault -- 1.Allie Betsch, NU, 8.9 points. 2.Amber Bianchi, NU, 8.75. 3.Jill Wageman, MCW, 8.7.

Beam -- 1.Allie Betsch, NU, 8.85. 2.Sabrina Steen, MCW, 8.05. 3.Amber Bianchi, NU, 8.0.

Bars -- 1.Allie Betsch, NU, 9.0. 2.Christine Otis, NU, 8.5. 3.Lacy Abel, MCW, 8.4.

Floor -- 1.Amber Bianchi, NU, 9.325. 2.Christine Otis, NU, 9.3. 3.Sabrina Steen, MCW, 9.0.

Team -- 1.New Ulm, 136.025. 2.Martin County West, 129.15.

Junior Varsity Results

Vault -- 1.April Lund, NU, 8.3. 2.Rachel Reinnits; Megan Grussendorf, NU, 8.0. 3.Mary Burmeister, MCW, 7.8.

Beam -- 1.Amanda Andrews, NU, 7.4. 2.Ariel McFarland, NU 7.3. 3. April Lund, NU 6.9.

Bars -- Kristin Johnson, NU, 6.3. 2.Caitlin Barret, NU, 5.4. 3.Lacey Stolt, NU, 5.1.

Floor -- 1.Amanda Andrews, NU, 7.9. 2.Rachel Reinarts, NU, 7.5. 3.Lacey Stolt, NU, 7.3.

Team -- 1.New Ulm, 111.0. 2.MCW, 89.0.