It's tough going when a team can't win a meet even after it outscores the school record by almost two points and marks a 144.625 score, but such is the life of the Detroit Lakes gymnastics squad.
The Lakers' 144.625 score during the Mid-State Conference meet is one of the top 10 scores converted by any team in the state this year, but it still wasn't enough to top the current dynasty team of Perham, which finished with a 151.025.
"It was just a great meet -- it shows how hard these (DL) girls have been working," said Laker head coach Matt Horner. "There's not much more you can do against a 151 score."
The key to posting the new DL school record was being strong in the Lakers' weakest event -- the beam.
DL had an all-time best on the beam, landing three 9.1's, led by Annelise Thorsgard and followed by Whitney Walter and Heather Neumeister. Meggie McCauley followed up with an 8.55.
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"That's where we usually drop three or four points, but the girls had the best performance ever on beam for us," Horner said. "Hopefully we still can improve there, yet."
Walter had a strong bars routine as well, taking fourth with a 9.45, while Thorsgard landed a 9.0. Thorsgard was DL's top performer on floor with a 9.35, with Shayna Dugger taking a 9.0. Bre Halbur hit a 9.45 on vault for third, and both Walter and Thorsgard were over the 9.0 mark with 9.325 and 9.050, respectively.
The Lakers are still not done seeing the Yellowjackets, unfortunately, since the two teams will be facing down in the Section 8-1A meet Friday in Perham.
But Horner said his team is looking forward to the meet, because five to six individuals could qualify for state, giving them something to compete for.
"With some of the scores we have been getting lately, we have a chance to send five or six girls to state," Horner said. "There are some good opportunities for that."
If the Mid-State meet was any indication of how DL will do in the section, Walter has a good chance to make it as an all-around performer. Other standouts include Halbur on vault, Thorsgard on floor and beam, and several others could be heading to state with season-high performances.
The section meet starts Friday at 1:30 p.m. in Perham.
Laker results
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Mid-State Conference meet in Park Rapids, Saturday, Feb. 11.
Team results: Perham 151.025, Detroit Lakes 144.625, Park Rapids 118.25, Wadena-Deer Creek 116.55, Frazee 31.050.
DL individual results -- Beam: 4. Annelise Thorsgard 9.1; 5. Whitney Walter 9.1; 6. Heather Neumeister 9.1; 8. Meggie McCauley 8.55; 9. Courtney Einerson 8.4...Bars: 4. Walter 9.45; 5. Thorsgard 9.0; 7. Shayna Dugger 8.7; 8. Kristi Hoppert 8.65; 10. Einerson 8.35...Floor: 4. Thorsgard 9.35; 6. Dugger 9.1; 7. McCauley 8.9; 8. Walter 8.85; 10. Einerson 8.7...Vault: 3. Bre Halbur 9.45; 6. Walter 9.325; 7. Thorsgard 9.050; 8. Neumeister 8.95; 12. Einerson 8.3.
DL Mid-State All-Conference: Whitney Walter, Annelise Thorsgard, Meggie McCauley, Heather Neumeister and Courtney Einerson...Honorable Mention: Bre Halbur and Shayna Dugger.
Frazee individual results -- Beam: 12. Rebecca Buhr 7.8...Bars: Buhr 6.75...Floor: 12. Buhr 8.0...Vault: 10. Buhr 8.5.
