February 9, 2018 at 1:37 p.m.
Kuester shines on senior night for Hodag gymnasts
Kuester shines on senior night for Hodag gymnasts
Kuester won all four events, recorded a career-high score in the all-around and the Hodags posted a season-best team score as they knocked off Medford 121.125-106.95 in a Great Northern Conference Small dual at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium.
"I felt good," Kuester said, nonchalantly.
Kuester had to be feeling good. She posted 8s in three of the four events, including a season-best 8.025 on balance beam as she scored a 32.825 in the all-around.
"Steph had a phenomenal meet," Hodag gymnastics coach Heather Sturtevant said. "This was a personal best for her. That was awesome. She was just solid."
Last year, Medford beat injury-plagued Rhinelander for the GNC Small title and both teams had four points in conference play entering Thursday's meet. Rhinelander left no doubt as to who has the better team, sweeping the top three spots in all four events.
Balance beam was a highlight for the Hodags, who posted a season-best 29.95 score in the event. Kuester, Alyssa Mitchell (7.5) and Raven Sturtevant (7.475) swept the top three positions.
"We only had three falls and the girls, not only did they stay on, their moves were cleaner. I mean (our score was) a 29.95, so the next goal will be to break 30 on that," Heather Sturtevant said.
Kuester (8.4), Sturtevant (8.075) and freshman Bridget Koser (7.625) claimed the top three spots on the floor exercise. Kuester (7.875), Sturtevant (7.3) and Harlie Zimmerman (6.1) went 1-2-3 on bars. Kuester (8.525) and Sturtevant (8.1) went 1-2 on the vault. Stephanie Kuester's twin sister, Makayla, tied for third in the event (8.0) in her first competition in more than a month after being sidelined by injury.
"We started with vault, which is (the) stronger of her (events) and she performed," Heather Sturtevant said.
The Hodags hope Thursday night's meet is a big step in the right direction, with only a handful of competitions remaining in the season. Rhinelander could close out a perfect GNC Small dual schedule with a win at Chequamegon Tuesday. That will be followed by the Great Northern Conference meet Feb. 17 in Wisconsin Rapids and WIAA Division 2 sectionals in Antigo Feb. 22.
"It's coming toward the end of the season so we know scoring is tougher. Smaller mistakes, we're getting hit. We just know what we've got to continue to tighten up," coach Sturtevant said. "We've got one more conference (dual), then conference and sectionals. We've just got to keep working one day at a team, one meet at a time and is seems to be working." Added Stephanie Kuester, "I thought the team did good as a whole. Everybody's been working hard at practice and I'd just like the conference meet to be like this."
Freelancer Bob Mainhardt contributed to this report.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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