Gymnastics: A Winter-Warm up in Austin

Tigers place 3rd at Winter Warm-Up Invitational

A shorthanded Tiger team took third at the seven-school Winter Warm-Up Invitational held Saturday at the YMCA in Austin.

The host Packers defended their 2012 title with a final team score of 140-plus points. Rochester Century grabbed second with the Tigers checking in at third with a mark of 123.8.

Farmington regulars Kylie Wharton, Tahra Eckert and Kenzie McCuddin all missed the meet because of the holiday weekend and newcomer Abby Schwartz was out with a foot injury.

Amanda Davenport turned in the top Tiger performance of the day with an 8.7 effort on the balance beam, good enough for third place finish among individuals.

Amanda Davenport (file photo by Jim Lindquist)

The Tiger junior varsity had a good day in their season opener, placing second in the team standings with a team score of 105.65.

Sidney Comes, Kyla Bauman and Samantha Maynard finished first, second and fifth respectively in the vault. Ashley Ellefson took fourth on the beam and Elizabeth Welter placed fifth in floor exercise.

"Our theme this year comes from coach John Wooden and says 'Make each day your masterpiece," coach Lynn Bauman said. "I was proud of the girls on Saturday.  We had a very good start and we can only improve from there...I'm looking forward to seeing the girls improve their masterpiece."

Their next chance for improvement comes Tuesday, Dec. 12, with a dual meet at perennial state power Lakeville North.