State meet qualifier in 3 events and all-around
Junior Nadia Lorencz is headed back to state Class AA gymnastics meet, this time in three events and the all-around competition.
Lorenz, who placed 10th in vault at state last winter, won the vault with a school record 9.725 effort, tied for second in floor exercise (9.525) and tied for third on the balance beam (9.15) at Thursday's Section 3AA Championships in Cottage Grove to punch her return ticket to state. Her 37.0 points ranked third in the all-around standings.
"We are very excited for Nadia," coach Lynn Bauman said. "Her performance at sections was top notch with the exception of the bars where she had an unusual fall. But she was able to come back to the beam and hold it together."
Even with the fall, Lorencz managed an eighth place finish on bars. Kiana Lord placed in two events at the section meet, taking sixth in vault and seventh in floor. Kylie Wharton tied for sixth on beam and finished seventh on bars.
Host Park won the section team title with 144.45 points, followed by East Ridge 143.85, Farmington 139.6, Rosemount 138.95, Eagan 136.9, Hastings 131.475, Woodbury 128.025 and Henry Sibley 107.975.
"It wasn't our best day, but we gave our best," Bauman said. "I know the girls were saddened because they felt they could have done better.
"But we know in gymnastics you get one chance and you hope for the best. I am proud of all the girls and the successes they have had this season."
Lorenz moves on to compete against the state's top gymnasts Saturday evening at the Sport Pavilion at the University of Minnesota.
