The top gymnasts from the North Shore Gymnastics Association’s Optionals and Xcel Gold-Sapphire teams headed to the Minneapolis Convention Center this past weekend for the 2024 Minnesota State Championships.
Over 1,500 gymnasts and 53 gyms from around the state were in attendance for the event. To accommodate the hundreds of competitors participating in the meet, the divisions were broken down into groups of 20-25 athletes. Gymnasts must have achieved a qualifying score for their respective competition level during the regular season.
Half of the teams that competed for North Shore Gymnastics Association placed within the top 10 in the overall team award during the event. The gymnasts, fueled by the guidance of their coaches, delivered powerful performances, showcasing their months of relentless training and unwavering dedication.
On Friday, the Level 7 team left nothing on the floor with superb performances from the entire team, becoming the state champions on the floor and sixth place in the team award. In the Ch. B division, Avery Merz (11, Orono) earned the gold medal in the beam with an impressive 9.725 score. She continued to dominate on the floor, earning another gold medal with a 9.70 score.
In the next session, Grace Green (13, Chaska) competed in the Sr. A division, where she took home third place in floor, as well as second place in vault, bars, and the all-around. In the Ch. C division, Harper Takkunen (12, Plymouth) displayed her strength and grit, placing within the top 10 on floor and earning her highest all-around score for the season. In the Jr. A division, Kennedy Farley (12, Long Lake) also visited the podium, earning second place on floor with a remarkable 9.700 score.
North Shore’s Levels 9 team competed on Saturday. Starting the day off strong, Madelyn Hallett (14, Minnetrista) took home third place on the floor in the Jr. B age division. Later in the afternoon, teammate Siena Chermak (16, Mound) took home first place on beam while also earning fourth place on floor in the Sr. A division. Within the same division, Lily Fake (16, Delano) stood alongside Siena for the floor awards earning second place, proving herself as a force to be reckoned with.
The Level 10 competition was held primarily on Saturday. In the afternoon, Morgan Walsh (17, Orono) competed in the Sr. B age division and earned an impressive second place on the vault with a remarkable high score of 9.625. Placing within top 5 in both the bars and floor events, she earned a bronze medal in the all-around. Morgan’s passion and dedication was certainly on display this weekend as she earned some of her highest scores for her season and career.
On Sunday, the competition continued with the level 8 competition. North Shore’s team landed within the top 10, with several of the athletes contributing to the club’s overall medal count. In the Sr. B age division, Lillian Anderson (15, Hamburg) had an incredible day, earning first place on bars and third place in the all-around. In the same age group, Anna Lamecker (15, Delano) earned second place in vault.
In the Jr. C division, Lexi Thelen (13, Minnetrista) was the bars champion, while also earning third place on floor and fourth place in the all-around. In the Sr. C division, Rachel Smieja (16, Saint Michael) claimed a remarkable victory on beam, while also placing second on vault.
The Xcel Gold team competition took place over both Saturday and Sunday due to the large number of competitors, with North Shore’s team taking sixth place out of a staggering 44 teams.
On Saturday morning, Maya Wetter (10, Delano) competed in the Ch. C age division and claimed second place in multiple events, including vault, beam, floor, and the all-around.
Later that evening, Makayla Harwick (11, Orono) competed in the Jr. B division and earned second place on floor and fourth place in the all-around. In Jr. E division, Olivia Johnson (12, Long Lake) earned a trio of bronze medals, earning third place in beam, floor, and the all-around. Joelle Johnson (12, Mound) showed off her hard work and dedication by achieving some of her highest scores of the season as well as qualifying for regionals. Ava Peterson (12, Delano) also saw success, earning third place in vault, bars, and the all-around within the Jr. G division.
On Sunday morning, Isla Hatfield (10, Delano) started strong for the Xcel Gold team and won all-around champion within the Ch D division. She placed first place in both bars and beam, while also earning second place on floor and third place on vault.
In the next session, Camille Winkler (11, Mound) tied for third place on floor within the Ch. F division. In the Sr. G division, Sophia Brewer (14, Independence) earned third place in both vault and floor.
Later on Sunday afternoon, Lauren Wheeler (10, Independence) competed within the Ch. B division and sparkled on the beam, earning herself the champion title, while also placing second in vault. In the Jr. D division, Lucy Jones (12, Mound) earned a gold medal for her performance on beam, while also earning a bronze medal on floor. In the Ch. E division, Riley O’Donnell (10, Delano) and Reagan Krysan (10, Delano) had impressive performances that qualified both gymnasts to compete at regionals in April.
The final session on Sunday evening for the Xcel Gold team ended on a high note, with Maddie Meyer (13, Rockford) earning second place in vault within the Sr. E division.
The Xcel Diamond team competed on Saturday. In the Sr. A division, Kaily Moeller (16, Maple Plain) earned a pair of silver medals, earning second place in both beam and bars. Kayla Miller (16, Hanover) took home third place on beam. In the Jr. C division, Mia Garding (15, Wayzata) was champion on floor with an impressive 9.600 score.
The Xcel Platinum team had some memorable performances. In the Sr. B division, Lydia Richardson (15, Orono) was champion in the all-around, landing herself amongst top scores overall at the meet with an astounding 36.925. Lydia also earned first place in bars, and also third place in all other events. In the same age division, Reese Haag (15, Rockford) stood alongside her teammate on the podium, earning second place on beam and floor, while also placing fourth in the all-around.
North Shore Gymnastics Association, Orono, was founded in 1974 and is a 501c3 non-profit organization. It is the club’s purpose to acquaint children at all levels of physical ability, potential and growth with the sport of gymnastics in an atmosphere of safe, fun, positive learning, and to help each child develop gymnastic skills, good sportsmanship, and discipline. North Shore Gymnastics Association is also the practice facility for the ISD #278 (Orono) girls’ high school gymnastics team. For more information, please call 763-479-3189 or visit us at www.northshoregym.org .
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