19 December 2012

Gymnastics: Season-high at Northfield

Tahra Eckert 2 third place finishes in return (photo by Jim Lindquist)
As expected defending state Class A champion Northfield dominated in its win over the Tigers Tuesday night in Northfield, but the Tigers won a moral victory of sorts, registering their highest team score of the year in the 142.35-131.9 Missota Conference loss.

"We're on our way back," coach Lynn Bauman said. "The girls are really pulling themselves together.... Fun, fun, fun! That's what it's about. We need to keep it fun! This seems to relax the girls and helps them perform well."

The meet was also a welcome back party for Kylie Wharton and Tahra Eckert who returned to the lineup after suffering early season injuries.

"It was nice to see Kylie and Tahra back in the line-up," Bauman said. "We're still waiting to get Kylie in a full line-up."

Kiana Lord again led the Farmington effort, placing among the top four individuals in all four evenst all-around.

Lord took second in vault (9.35), third in floor exercise (8.475) and fourth on both the balance beam (8.5) and the uneven bars (8.65). Her all-around score of  35.475 ranked fourth.

Eckert took third in both vaulting (9.275) and floor exercise (8.8) and Wharton placed  fifth on the uneven bars (8.25). Kathryn Beckett finished fifth in vault (9.05).

Friday the girls close out their pre-holiday schedule with a road dual meet with Chaska/Chanhassen.