February 3, 2020 at 12:30 p.m.
RHS gymnasts hit season high in Antigo Invite
RHS gymnasts hit season high in Antigo Invite
With Autumn Shafer nearing 100 percent after getting hurt in a fall on uneven bars against Mosinee last month, and Bridget Koser competing in the all-around for the first time all season, the Hodags beat their previous season high by more than two points.
"It was an absolutely phenomenal day today," Rhinelander coach Heather Sturtevant said. "The girls just really had such great energy. They were excited to be there and then really just did what they could do. Everybody rose to the occasion today."
The junior trio of Lilli Bishop, Koser and Shafer led the way for Rhinelander all three competed in the all-around for Rhinelander and posted similar scores. Bishop was ninth overall with a 29.7, Koser was 11th at 29.6 and Shafer finished 12th at 29.5.
Shafer and Bishop also made the podium in individual events. Shafer finished fifth on the balance beam (7.55) while Bishop took fifth on the floor exercise (8.15).
"For my three juniors to all get personal bests for all-around was amazing, and it's funny how tightly bunched they were," Sturtevant said. "It's crazy how well they did. They were so excited."
"Today was the first day (Bridget) did a vault in over a year," Sturtevant added noting an injury on vault hampered Koser down the stretch last season. "That was also something to be so proud of. I really am proud of all the hard work she's been doing to get over that mental block and not do vault. That was huge. Autumn got a personal best on beam. She and Lilli both had no-fall routines."
Rhinelander's totals of 31.4 on floor exercise, 28.55 on balance beam and 23.6 on uneven bars were all season highs, which Sturtevant said was a nice boost of confidence as the team hits the stretch run.
"The girls just felt so good about themselves, just like, 'Hey, we can do this. We are all here and we are all contributing.' It just was awesome," she said.
Koser also reached the 8s on vault for Rhinelander (7th, 8.0) on Saturday and was the team's top finisher on uneven bars (6.75). Shafer and freshman Payton Rudawski had matching scores of 7.95 to tie for 15th and lead the Hodags on the vault.
"Payton had a nice, solid day," Sturtevant noted. "We didn't quite hit anything, no personal bests, but very strong with what she's been doing. That was really good."
High scores were common place Saturday in a 14-team meet that was flighted into two divisions based on team scores throughout the season. Medford placed second in the upper-tier White Division with a score in the 134s. Valders/Roncalli (129.425) won the Maroon Division, followed by Antigo (123.65) and Rhinelander.
"The girls know, even with these great scores, we need to do more if we want to move on from sectionals," Sturtevant said. "But it put them in a really good place that they could up the whole team score."
Rhinelander is back in Antigo tonight to face the Red Robins in a GNC Small/Large crossover dual meet.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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