Betsch advances to state on bars

By MINDY KLINKNER

Journal Sports Writer

REDWOOD FALLS -- Allie Betsch will represent New Ulm for a third straight season on the bars at the Class A state gymnastics meet as the Eagles improved on last season's fifth-place finish.

Before the Section 3A meet, the Eagles predicted their score on each event. The team then added it up and reached a score of 137 points.

Although the Eagles fell short on their goal, they did set a season-high team score to take fourth in the meet Saturday.

The Eagles scored 135.75, as Worthington defended its section title with a score of 138.4. Martin County West jumped from a seventh-place finish last season to second place with a score of 137.3. Jackson County Central was third (135.75) out of 10 teams.

"(A high-team score) is always our goal; we try not to focus on the individual," New Ulm coach Jeanine Backer said. "If you focus too much on yourself, it's too much pressure."

Betsch repeated her performance from the last section meet by placing second on the bars with a score of 9.075.

"I knew there was going to be tough competion," Betsch said. "I was worried about my dismount. I have fun (on the bars) and it comes naturally."

Betsch not only nailed her dismount but had a fluid routine on her best and favorite event.

"She's on a roll with bars," Backer said.

She will make her third trip to the state meet on the bars. In the past two state meets, she has placed in the 20s.

"I hope to learn something new to put in and to have fun," Betsch said.

Worthington's Christina Sorensen took first on the bars with a score of 9.275.

Betsch just missed advancing to state in the all around by one point. She scored 34.95, which is one of her higher scores of the season.

Windom's Mary Hartberg claimed the all around with a 36.525.

On the balance beam, Betsch scored an 8.525. Her score placed seventh, just out of reach to earn a medal.

Amber Bianchi kept smiling on the floor despite a poor sound system and placed sixth for the Eagles. She scored a 9.1. Marshall's Jessica Dolan won with a 9.5.

"(Bianchi) had a nice routine," Backer said.

Bianchi placed seventh on the all around with a score of 34.575.

Standing out on the beam for the Eagles was the performance by eighth grader Ariel McFarland. She scored an 8.0.

Hartberg won on the balance beam with a score of 9.2 and Dolan was first on the vault (9.3).

Betsch will represent the Eagles on the bars at the Class A State meet on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul.

New Ulm's Megan Grussendorf and Betsch were both honored with the Academic Award, by earning a 3.8 GPA or higher after the first semester.

Martin County West's LeeAnn Steen was named Coach of the Year and Tim McConnell of Jackson County Central was named Assistant Coach of the Year.