Hodag gymnasts take 6th at Marshfield Invite

Even down a couple of gymnasts the Rhinelander High School gymnastics team was able to post some season highs on Saturday in the Marshfield Invite.

The Hodags took sixth in the six-team meet with a score of 107.175 points. That was up more than three points from a dual meet last Tuesday at Lakeland. 

Freshmen Alexis Smith and Karly Gillingham posted a number of season-highs for Rhinelander. Smith tied for fourth on the vault with an 8.55 while Gillingham broke into the 8s in two events and led the Hodags with a 14th-place finish in the all-around (28.425).

“It’s nice to be able to have season highs, you know you’re improving,” Hodag coach Kristina Aschenbrenner said. “Alexis hit that on every event today. That was great. Same with Karly, except Karly did have a few falls on beam.

“There are some high level gymnastics here. Placing against a Marshfield team or a Waupun its going to be difficult. We got one on the podium, nearly two. Overall, it was a good meet, good energy and we’re ready to go back in the gym next week and keep improving.”

Vault was the highest score for the Hodags on the day, with a 31.65, led by Smith and Gillingham. Smith’s 8.55 was part of a four-way tie for fourth while Gillingham wasn’t far behind, taking eighth with an 8.5.

Gillingham also broke into the 8s on the floor exercise, taking 14th in that event with an 8.075.

“Karly made corrections from the last couple of meets and her tumbling was spectacular today,” coach Aschenbrenner said. “She threw a half twist, which she’s been working on and hasn’t been able to land in competition consistently. That was good. She improved her jump combinations. It was just a really nice, clean, full of energy routine.”

Smith took 16th in the all-around with a season-best score of 28.0. That included a 15th-place showing on the floor exercise.

Samantha Aschenbrenner was 18th in the all-around (27.5). She had Rhinelander’s top score on uneven bars (5.7) and balance beam (7.55) while Lexi Skubal competed in the all-around for the first time, landing in 23rd (23.2). She stepped in with three gymnasts out of the lineup due to injury or prior commitments. 

“Sam had a very consistent meet with a season-high on vault and a no-fall beam routine,” coach Aschenbrenner said. “Lexi went in and did some routines that she hasn’t done all year just so we could get a team score for the different events. That was much appreciated. She did a great job.”

Even down a couple of gymnasts, Rhinelander posted one of its best uneven bars team scores of the year, at 19.95.

“As a team, our bars score was a highlight tonight. Everyone hit their bar routines, which we’ve struggled with that all season. That was good,” coach Aschenbrenner noted. 

Marshfield (1356.45) took the individual title in a field that also included Waupun, Ashland, Rice Lake and Antigo. The five other schools posted scored of 120 or higher. 

Marshfield’s Alyvia Dietsche won the individual all-around, beating Waupun’s Abby Roecker by 0.05 points. 

Rhinelander is back in action tonight as it hosts Mosinee at the YMCA of the Northwoods in GNC Small division play.  

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].