Crawford wins Class 1A state beam championship

MINNEAPOLIS - Detroit Lakes junior Amy Crawford has been where no other Laker gymnast has been before -- on the state meet's first-place podium stand.

Crawford won DL its first-ever gymnastics state championship Saturday inside the University of Minnesota's Sports Pavilion, when she claimed the Class 1A balance beam title with her 9.575 score.

Her closest competitor was Perham junior Kelsi Vomacka, who earned a 9.55.

Crawford also made the podium in all-around with a fifth-place finish with a combined score of 37.5875, while placing fourth on bars with a 9.3625, 13th on floor at 9.275 and a 17th finish on vault with a 9.3875.

Perham senior Jenna Schmitz won all-around with a 38.1, while Vomacka was second with a 37.9625.

There were plenty of Lakers following Crawford on the state podium, as junior Bre Halbur repeated her silver finish on vault from two years ago after she landed a 9.675.

In 2008, Halbur hit a 9.7 for her runner-up finish. She then took her sophomore season off due to injury and fatigue, but resumed her gymnastics career this season.

"I had no expectations like this," Halbur said of her silver on vault. "I was just hoping for the best and went out with a nothing to lose attitude."

Four Lakers competed on the vault, as Jessica Stelter just missed the podium with a seventh-place finish with a 9.475.

She was followed by sophomore Natalie Hoffert, who scored an eighth-place finish with a 9.4875.

Stelter was also an all-around competitor, along with Crawford, and finished in eighth with a 36.475.

Stelter scored an 8.55 on beam and a fourth-place finish on floor with her 9.535. She rounded out her score with an 8.9 on bars for 10th place.

Hoffert also finished 14th on floor with a 9.225.

Check out Wednesday's Detroit Lakes Tribune for a full detailed article on this past weekend's state gymnastics meet.

Laker results

Class 1A state gymnastics individual meet at the University of Minnesota Sports Pavilion, Saturday, Feb. 27.

Laker event results -- Beam: 1. Amy Crawford 9.575; Jessica Stelter (all-around) 8.55...Floor: 4. Stelter 9.535; 13. Crawford 9.275; 14. Natalie Hoffert 9.225...Vault: 2. Bre Halbur 9.675; 7. Stelter 9.475; 8. Hoffert 9.4875; 17. Crawford 9.3875...Bars: 4. Crawford 9.3625; 10. Stelter 8.9...All-around: 5. Crawford 37.5875; 8. Stelter 36.475.

1/4: BRIAN WIERIMA/TRIBUNE Laker junior Bre Halbur launches into her state vault Saturday. Halbur won her second career silver medal on vault after scoring a 9.675.

2/4: BRIAN WIERIMA/TRIBUNE Laker Jessica Stelter goes through her state beam routine Saturday. Stelter finished with a score of 8.575 in the event.

3/4: BRIAN WIERIMA/TRIBUNE The Section 8-1A gymnasts, compromised of Perham and Detroit Lakes gymnasts, collected a dozen total medals -- and four state individual championships -- during the Class 1A state individual meet. The gymnasts from Section 8-1A included (L to R) Jessica Stelter, Jenna Schmitz, Bre Halbur, Carly Petersen, Amy Crawford, Kelsi Vomacka, Natalie Hoffert and Mikaela Eickschen.

4/4: BRIAN WIERIMA/TRIBUNE Laker sophomore Natalie Hoffert performs in the state floor exercise event. Hoffert finished 14th with a score of 9.225.