BKMS gymnasts shut out from state tourney berths; Melrose claims title

The Benson-KMS gymnastics team finished fifth of nine teams at the Section 6A Gymnastics Meet in New London, Saturday.  Melrose, ranked second in the state, continued its stronghold on the section championship with a score of 146.85 points to edge third-ranked Willmar (142.575) for the championship.
Those two teams also dominated the individual state qualifiers as well, while Benson-KMS finished fifth with a 129.2 team total and was shut out from any state berths.
“The girls performed well-executed routines during a great competition,” coach Kathy Ahrndt said.
NLS also had a strong team and was third with 136.525 points, while Dassel-Cokato was fourth with a 130.6 score.
The top team and top individuals from each event qualified for the State Gymnastics Tournament, set for Feb. 20-21 at RiverCenter in St. Paul.
Benson-KMS does not lose any seniors from this year’s team so the team should be very strong again next year.  The Fighting Braves also held their awards banquet recently, and a recap of the team awards, along with the All-Conference gymnasts, will be highlighted in the coming weeks.
Section 6A Gymnastics Meet
Melrose’ Lydia Butkowski dominated the meet with an all-around score of 38.15, while also winning the uneven bars (9.425) and placing second on the other three individual events.
Mady Brinkman was second in the all-around (36.85), while Haley Mottinger of Willmar was third (36.775).
 
Photo:  MiKaylie Hagen closed out her junior season of gymnastics during the section meet at NLS, Saturday.