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| Kylie Wharton 7th on beam at state meet |
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| Kiana Lord All-state in floor (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
The Tigers started the season with a lackluster team score of 126.525 at the Austin Invitational, but meet-by-meet the numbers went up, culminating in a 140.525 performance at the Section 3AAA Championships where they finished third in a quality eight-team field.
"I was very proud and happy for the girls," coach Lynn Bauman said. "We made it through many obstacles. The girls just kept their heads up and stuck it out. They were champions in my eyes."
Thirteen gymnasts received varsity letter for their efforts season: Kathryn Beckett, Racquel Beckett, Amanda Davenport, Tahra Eckert, Rachel Kiminksi, Kiana Lord, Mackenzie McCuddin, Gina Mercurio, Kendall Novak, Taylor Schmaltz, Maddie Timerson, Kylie Wharton and Kyla Bauman.
Lord, who ranked 22nd in floor exercise at the Class AA state meet, made the all-Missota Conference team and Beckett received all-league honorable mention.
Wharton came back from an early season injury to finish strong, placing seventh on the beam at the state meet.
Six different Farmington performers won all-section honors, including Eckert, vault; Davenport, uneven bars; Wharton, balance beam; Kiminski, balance beam; Beckett, floor exercise and Lord, all-around.
Lord earned all-state honors for her season-long high marks in floor exercise and gained honorable mention in vault, bars, beam and all-around.
Four other Tigers achieved state honorable mention status: Eckert (vault, beam, floor and all-around); Beckett (vault and floor); Wharton (beam) and Timerson (vault).
Other team awards presented at the post-season banquet included Hardest Worker- Racquel Beckett; Most Improved-Samantha Kramer; Most Positive Spirit-Beckett; Best Form-Wharton; Tiger Award-Schmaltz and Best Crash-Tori Sontag.
Bauman said achieving the 140-point team score was a season highlight as was Lord's returning to state and Wharton's strong showing at state finals.
The only disappointments came in the injury department where Wharton, Eckert, Davenport and Kiminski all spent significant time on the shelf with physical issues.
"They were all on our varsity team and that affected our team score throughout the season," Bauman said. "I'm hoping for an injury-free season next year."
As for the future, Bauman is optimistic.
"It looks really promising," she said. "We might have some new talent coming to our team and that will be fun to watch...I know the girls are excited to workout in the off season to improve for next year."
