The Bulldog Gymnastics team vaulted into their season opener today, Monday, November 26. With some returning faces and new additions on both the coaching... Milbank Gymnastics Team Starts Season

The Bulldog Gymnastics team vaulted into their season opener today, Monday, November 26. With some returning faces and new additions on both the coaching staff and the athletes, the season is looking promising.

Returning as head coach for the fourth year is Amber Fraasch. Also returning are assistant coaches; Karla DeVaal (11th year), Stacey Weinkauf (5th year), Jena Schulte (5th year), and Amy Yamaura (4th year). A new addition to the coaching staff this year will be Kelly Wollschlager. Kelly was a past Grant-Deuel High School gymnast. According to Fraasch, “She (Kelly) brings gymnastics experience as a former gymnast and coach and will bring a fresh perspective to the gym.”

Leading the squad this year will be four Seniors. Fraasch said, of the Seniors, “Mackenzie Weinkauf is a returning varsity all-around gymnast that brings experience and leadership. Mackenzie Stegner of Ortonville is in her second year on the team. She is a very powerful athlete that brings with her a lot of knowledge about the sport. New to the line up this year is Callie Kleindl of Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley. She competed with the Big Stone Lightning until the Ortonville-CGB co-op ended. We are happy to see her finish her gymnastics career as a MHS Bulldog. Also returning will be Mya Johanson as our student manager and assists us with the numerous administrative tasks of the team.”

In addition to the seniors mentioned above, the following gymnasts are also vying for varsity spots; juniors Jalyn Engel, Maddie Gustafson & Tori Hooth, sophomore Greta Snaza and freshmen Maddison Mathews and Dani Yamaura.

Also looking to score some play time and filling out our roster are 8th graders; Laney Forrette, Ashlyn O’Farrell, Rylie Overby, Kennedy Stegner, and Zoe Theis and 7th graders; Aubrey Fraasch, Kaitlyn Krause, Amara McClain, Rachel Schulte, and Aaliyah Trapp.

Commenting on the season ahead, Fraasch gave, “With a strong returning line-up, the addition of new gymnasts and a commitment by the team in the off season, we are looking at taking down a few school records including the team varsity record of 131.40 set in 2012 and the team JV record of 117.60 set last season. The girls have been working on new skills and skill combinations that are listed on their individual goal sheets and that will add value to their routines. Being confident and consistent in performing our routines in competition is at the top of those goal sheets. These two goals should help us achieve two other goals of having four out of five or five out of six no fall beam routines and having 100% no-stop bar sets. Bettering our last year’s fifth place team finish at State, again getting all varsity competing gymnasts to qualify for the State individual competition, and increasing the number of top 15 individual finishes are also among our team goals.”

A note to spectators, every two years, the rules are reviewed and modified. 2018/19 is a rule change year, so adjustments will have to be made. New requirement for bars will be more variety of skills and precise execution requirements.

“We will again have strong competition in the northeast corner of the state with Deuel being the favorite to take both the NEC and State Class A titles. Other teams to watch in the state will be Madison and the newly formed Estelline-Hendricks co-op. Region 1A could likely have the top four teams in the State this year,” Fraasch said of the competition.

Varsity Meet Schedule

11-26-18 Triangular at Sisseton 5:30pm
12-8-18 Hub City Invite at Aberdeen 12:00pm
12-11-18 Britton-Hecla Invite at B/H 6:00pm
12-15-18 Lewis Drug Invite at Home 11:00am
12-18-18 Wahpeton Dual at Wahpeton 6:00pm
1-5-19 Sisseton Invite at Sisseton 11:00am
1-8-19 Morris Dual at Morris 6:00pm
1-12-19 Madison Invite at Madison 12:00pm
1-19-19 Watertown Invite at Watertown 12:00pm
1-26-19 Deuel Invite at Deuel 12:00pm
1-31-19 NEC/Region 1A at Britton-Hecla 6:30pm
2-8-19 State A Meet at Brookings TBD

Photo: Senior Mackenzie Stegner practicing on the beam
New coach Kelly Wollschlager assisting at practice

Staff Writer

No comments so far.

Be first to leave comment below.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *