Hodag gymnasts take seventh in Wisconsin Rapids

The Rhinelander High School gymnastics team was a few points off of its season best Saturday, scoring a 113.325 in a seventh-place finish at the eight-team Charlie Martin Invite in Wisconsin Rapids.

Coach Kristina Aschenbrenner noted that the Hodags were still a bit short-handed on Saturday with exchange student Margherita Tibaldeschi and sophomore Karly Gillingham among those out of the lineup.

“We had a smaller group due to some not competing due to other family obligations and injury,” she said via a text message to the River News.

Freshman Emeline Hintz led the way for the Hodags and just narrowly missed breaking into the 30s in the individual all-around for the second time in three meets. She posted a 29.975 to finish 18th overall.

Hintz and sophomore Alexis Smith had the best individual finishes of the day. Both had vaults that drew scores of 8.5 from the judges as they tied for 15th in the event. Smith added a 16th-place finish on the floor exercise (8.25) while Hintz scored an 8.05 and placed 21st. 

“Solid vaults with Alexis and Emmaline having almost identical vaults both hitting 8.5,” coach Aschenbrenner said. “Floor was consistent, Alexis had a solid floor.”

Smith finished 24th in the all-around (28.5), fellow sophomore Sam Aschenbrenner was 26th (27.7) and senior Wendy Fronk took 28th (27.15). 

Fronk had Rhinelander’s best score on balance beam (27th, 7.65) while Hintz was the team’s top performer on uneven bars (28th, 5.875). Coach Aschenbrenner noted that both Fronk and Hintz had no-fall routines on the beam.

With a couple of starters out of the lineup, it paved a way for a few new entries into the starting five. Making their varsity debuts were Olivia Ruetz on balance beam, Vayda Ives on floor exercise, Brynn Teter on uneven bars and Adalynn Strobel on vault. 

Additionally, there was a junior varsity division in the meet. Coach Aschenbrenner noted first-time performers included Lexi Skubal and June Chiamulera on balance beam, Strobel on floor exercise and Emma Tagalos on vault.

She also said that while uneven bars was the team’s lowest-scoring event on Saturday, the team added a number of new skills.

“Several girls had new skills that they threw and made,” she said. “Brynn a kip, Olivia a back hip circle and mill circle, Wendy a free hip, and Alexis a new dismount.” 

West Salem/Aquinas/Bangor scored 136.425 points to win the meet by 0.55 points over hosting Wisconsin Rapids. Four of the eight teams in the field finished the day in the 130s. Wisconsin Rapids’ Elsa Urban took the individual all-around with a 35.125.

The Hodags had a three-week break from competition over the holidays between the Snowflake Invite and Saturday’s meet in Wisconsin Rapids. The team will be idle again for another two and a half weeks. Rhinelander will be back home Jan. 21 to face Antigo in a GNC Small dual at the YMCA of the Northwoods.

“We are looking forward to adding a few new skills the next two weeks and finalizing and cleaning up routines,” coach Aschenbrenner said.

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].