Hodag gymnasts take 8th at Antigo Invite

The Rhinelander High School gymnastics team performed right near its season average on Saturday, posting a score of 106.65 points and finishing eighth in the 10-team Julie Langseth Memorial in Antigo.

The Hodags saved their best for last in the meet, posting a score of 30.35 on the floor exercise, their final event of the afternoon. 

“I think they looked pretty good,” Hodag assistant coach Maddy Cady said. “I know that Karly (Gillingham) stuck her half on floor. That was really exciting. I think the was highlight of the day.”

Freshman Samantha Aschenbrenner had the top-placing performance on the day, as she finished 23rd on balance beam with a 7.75. She was also the team’s top performer on uneven bars (39th, 5.55) as she finished 24th in the individual all-around (27.75). 

“Sammy made her long-hang kip,” Cady noted regarding Aschenbrenner’s bars routine. “That’s an achievement. We’ve been working on that.”

Alexis Smith had the highest individual score for the Hodags on the day. She took 25th in the vault with an 8.1. She and Gillingham tied for the team-high on floor exercise, finishing 29th with matching 7.75s. 

    Rhinelander’s Wendy Fronk competes on uneven bars during the Julie Langseth Memorial gymnastics meet in Antigo Saturday, Jan. 27. (Jeremy Mayo/River News)
  

The Hodags again had four gymnasts compete in the all-around. Junior Wendy Fronk was 25th with a 27.05. Her day was highlighted by a no-fall routine on the balance beam that netted a 7.65. Gillingham scored 26.05 in the all-around and Smith had a 25.2. 

“Alexis stuck her vault. She had a real good half-on, half-off, Cady said. “We had a few falls on beam but, overall, we pulled it off pretty well. Beam went really well.” 

The Hodags had only six gymnasts available for the meet on Saturday. Lena Timphus competed on uneven bars and floor exercise while Emma Tagalos competed on the vault. 

Head coach Kristina Aschenbrenner was unable to make the meet due to a prior obligation but was encouraged when she was apprised of the results.

“Looks like Emma stepped up for varsity vault today and performed well,” she told the River News via text. “Lena performed bars for the first time and had a great score. Samantha continues to be consistent, leading the team in all around. Wendy also had a consistent meet. Alexis continues to have solid vaults. Karly, who has high difficulty and bonus in floor and beam, has lots of potential.”

The Hodags were third best of the four GNC Small division schools in attendance. Ashland finished fourth on the day, Antigo was seventh and Mosinee finished ninth. 

West Bend West won the meet, edging Medford 137.2-136.375 for the overall title. Medford’s Kyla Krause won two events and took the individual all-around with a 36.2.

The Hodags jump back into GNC Small competition tonight, looking for their first dual meet win of the season at Lakeland. Rhinelander has outscored the T-Birds in each of the two meets both teams have attended this season.

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].