Mitchell Kernels Dominate Brookings Triangular, Showcase Season-Best Beam Performance
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Mitchell High School’s gymnastics team achieved a decisive victory at the Brookings Triangular on tuesday, January 21st, fueled by a standout performance on the balance beam and strong individual showings across multiple events. The Kernels finished with a team score of 143.650, surpassing Brookings (141.450) and Madison (135.150).
Balance Beam Brilliance Propels Mitchell to Victory
The Kernels delivered their best balance beam routine of the season, scoring an remarkable 37.200 team points – a full point higher than their previous best. Kyanna Gropper – led the charge, earning a winning score of 9.700, matching her season high. The team demonstrated remarkable consistency, claiming the top four individual spots on the beam.
Olivia Prunty – secured second place with a 9.250, followed closely by Sury Bechen – (9.150) and Shae Hohn – (9.100). This extraordinary performance on the beam proved pivotal in securing the overall team win.
Gropper Shines on Uneven Bars, Hohn Excels on Vault
Kyanna Gropper – topped the leaderboard on the uneven bars with a score of 9.650, making her a two-event champion on the night. McKenna Auch and Olivia Prunty – tied for third place on bars,both achieving scores of 8.950, while Shae Hohn – finished eighth with an 8.500.
Abby Hohn – claimed the meet championship on vault with a score of 9.200, continuing a recent streak of success in the event. Olivia Prunty – tied for third place with a 9.000, and McKenna Auch – tied for sixth with an 8.650.
Floor Exercise Presents Challenges, bobcats’ Erickson Claims All-Around Title
While the Kernels excelled in several events, the floor exercise proved to be a weaker area, resulting in a season-low score of 35.150. Sury Bechen – posted the highest score for mitchell on floor with an 8.950, finishing sixth among competitors. Abby Helleloid – was seventh with an 8.900, and Ava Hart – finished tenth with an 8.800.
Brookings’ Annika Krogman and Kennedy Ronning – shared the floor exercise title, both scoring 9.450. The all-around title was won by Brookings’ Layla Erickson (36.650), followed by Olivia Prunty – in second place (35.700), Kennedy Ronning – in third (35.650), and Sury Bechen – in fourth for the Kernels (34.600).
JV Team Triumphs, Long Leads the Way
Mitchell’s junior varsity team also enjoyed success, winning the JV event title with a score of 128.500, ahead of Madison (117.850) and Brookings (116.850). Nova Long – was the all-around champion for the Kernels’ JV team (32.650), besting teammates Hannah Werkmeister – (32.500) and Adley Crago – (31.250). Nova Long – also secured the championship on bars (8.250), while hannah Werkmeister – was champion on floor (8.650) and second on vault (8.400). Leighton Backlund – finished second on bars (7.700), and Allison Walz – was second on beam (8.050).
The Mitchell Kernels will next compete at the Lolly Forseth Invitational at 11 a.m.on Saturday, January 24th, at Sioux Falls Lincoln.
