Milbank Area Takes Sixth At State Gymnastics Meet

The Milbank Area Lady Bulldogs gymnastics team finished in sixth place in the team standings after day one of the State Class A gymnastics meet in Brookings Friday, February 12. Milbank Area tallied 125.25 points, which is within the average range of the local’s team score all season.

Madison captured its second consecutive state title with 138.825 points, and its 11th team title in the past 14 years. Deuel won the title for three years from 2011 to 2013.

Chamberlain was named the runner-up with 129.95 points. Rounding out the team totals were Wagner-Bon Homm, 128.325; Britton-Hecla, 127.80; Deuel, 125.95; Parkston-Ethan-Hanson, 125.075; Sisseton, 117.50, and Vermillion, 117.05.

In day one of competition, individual place winners are not awarded, but five competitors from each team competed on each event to make up the team scores. Natalie Stohr, the lone senior for the Lady Bulldogs, set the pace for the locals in 14th place in the all-around competition with 31.85 points. Brooke Fraasch followed in 20th with 30.725 while Mackenzie Weinkauf was 23rd with 29.925.

On the uneven parallel bars, Stohr was 15th overall with a 7.625. Fraasch landed in 18th with a 7.575 while Weinkauf was 26th with a 7.10. Jodi DeVaal scored a 6.70 and was 32nd, and Emma VanVooren was 33rd with a 6.525.

On the balance beam, VanVooren led the team in 13th place with a 8.125. Emily Dornbusch followed with a 8.10 and 15th. Stohr scored a 7.175 and landed in 26th place while Fraasch was 36th with a 6.675. Weinkauf rounded out the team on beam with a 6.375 and 39th place.

Weinkauf and Stohr led Milbank Area on the floor exercise both with a 8.075 and in 22nd place. Fraasch was right behind in 24th with a 8.05. DeVaal tallied a 7.775 in 30th place, and VanVooren scored a 7.70 for 33rd.

Stohr finished third overall on vault with a 8.975. Fraasch and Dornbusch tied for 18th with an 8.425 while Weinkauf scored a 8.375 and in 23rd place. DeVaal wrapped up the scoring in 38th with an 8.0.

All six gymnasts for Milbank Area will compete tomorrow in the individual competition. Stohr, Fraasch, Weinkauf, VanVooren and DeVaal will compete on all four events and in the all-around competition while Dornbusch will compete on vault.

Photo courtesy of South Dakota Public Broadcasting