Gymnastics finishes third in St. Peter meet; JV takes first

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETER -- The New Ulm gymnastics team placed third of four teams in the first meet of the season against stiff competition.

The women earned 123 points, just behind Mankato West at 127. Mankato East , who ended last season second in the state, took the top place with 140 points.

"We're off to a good start; in the first meet, it's always hard to get started," said coach Jeanine Backer, who likes that her team starts competing earlier than most teams in the area. "Once you get kids to start doing their routines, you have some information so you can start tweaking in practice."

On floor, Amber Bianchi took third with an 8.825. The top floor routine by Amy Knudson from East scored 9.275. She also took first in vault, bars and beam. Jackie Strey was fourth with 8.725.

Bianchi was seventh in the vault with 8.65. New Ulm's Allison Betsch, Rachel Reinarts, and Christine Otis came in 13, 14, and 15 on bars. Betsch was seventh on the beam with a 7.75.

Coach Backer expects the women to continue to improve throughout the season as they perfect their new skills.

"As a team, we should gain at least 10 to 12 points in scoring throughout the season," said Backer. "The kids work hard -- they are doing new skills. Now we . . . can start fine tuning."

Backer says mental strength plays a big part in learning new skills. This is why the women have been concentrating so much on positivity in practice.

"Gymnastics is very mental," said Backer. "In gymnastics you have that fear every time you learn something new. It is a big obstacle. It's so mental."

The JV team captured first place with 103.8 points, twenty points above the competition.

Kristen Johnson and Amanda Andrews came up with first and third on bars. Lacey Stolt, Caitlin Barrett, and Andrews were second, fourth, and fifth on beam.

Stolt took first on floor, while Andrews and Rachel Reinarts tied East players for second and third.

Megan Grussendorf was second on the vault.

The women compete again 6:30 p.m. Thursday at home against Redwood Valley.