Synchronized swimming: Schmit honored as MVP for state champions

Senior Paige Schmit has been named the Most Valuable Athlete for the state champion Stillwater synchronized swimming team.

One of five all-state performers for the team, Schmit help lead the Ponies to an unbeaten dual meet season and its fourth consecutive state title. Along with sophomore Paige Schmit, seniors Isana Downing, Annie Gritters and Megan Johnson joined Paige on the 10-member all-state team. Those five athletes also earned All-East Metro Conference honors while senior Kate Jentink garnered honorable mention all-conference recognition.

This was the 22nd state title overall for the Ponies — to go along with 28 runner-up finishes — in the 50-year history of the state meet. Stillwater swept all four extended division titles on the way to a 175-117 victory over Wayzata at state while Forest Lake followed in third with 87 points. The Rangers (4-2) also finished second behind Stillwater (6-0) in the conference standings and in the East Section Meet.

Stillwater extended its impressive dual meet record to 231-3-1 dating back to 1989.

Paige joined Hailey Schmit to win the extended duet at state and also teamed with Downing and Gritters to win the extended trio.

Even though she and the rest of the athletes missed the entire 2020 season due to COVID-19, Paige became the first team member to earn all-state honors for the fifth time. Previous Ponies standouts Kelly Thibodeau, Julie Wieden, Caitlin Rooney, Bridget Nelson, Lisa Kasperson and Summer Olson were each four-time all-state recipients.

Downing also garnered All-State Academic honors for the Ponies, who also earned a Silver Academic Award as a team.

Also announced at the team’s postseason banquet is that Gabby Chau, Ava Fox and Alex Kruse will serve as captains for next year’s team.

Synchronized swimming

All-Conference: Hailey Schmit, Paige Schmit, Isana Downing, Annie Gritters and Megan Johnson; All-Conference Honorable Mention: Kate Jentink; All-State: Hailey Schmit, Paige Schmit, Annie Gritters, Isana Downing and Gabby Lalande; All-State Academic: Isana Downing, Annie Gritters and Paige Schmit; Most Valuable Athlete: Paige Schmit; Captains elect: Gabby Chau, Ava Fox and Alex Kruse.