Packer gymnasts take third at state behind New Prague and Melrose
Published 6:18 pm Friday, February 22, 2013
The Austin Packers stand on the podium after being awarded their third-place team trophy at the Minnesota State Gymnastics Meet Friday at the Sports Pavilion of the University of Minnesota. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
MINNEAPOLIS — The Austin gymnastics team broke a state record and had its best finish at the Class ‘A’ state meet in school history, but the Packers still weren’t quite satisfied after taking third at the state meet at the University of Minnesota Sports Pavilion in Minneapolis Friday.
Austin tallied a team score of 146.425, while New Prague won the meet with a 149.60 and Melrose took second with a 147.90.
Click here for a story on the Packers setting a new state floor record:
“I don’t think anybody was catching New Prague today,” Austin head coach Mark Raymond said. “They went 20 for 20 and they looked good. They deserved the win.”
Abby Snater performs on the beam during the Minnesota State Gymnastics Meet Friday at the University of Minnesota’s Sports Pavilion. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Packers, who have competed in three of the last four state meets, had come into the meet with the hopes of winning that. Their performance on the beam hurt them the most as it was the lowest score in the eight-team field.
Austin did go on to set a state record in the floor.
“It’s tough. It’s frustrating,” Austin junior Sela Fadness said. “We worked so hard, but they also worked hard and put in the time. It comes down to what happens today and third place is nothing to be sad about.“
Austin eighth grader Maddie Mullenbach had a good day in her first state meet with the Packers. She also took the opportunity of watching New Prague and Melrose to learn from them.
“I just like watching what they do. I’ll slowly work towards what they’re doing,” Mullenbach said. “At first I was really nervous (today), but throughout the day I got a little more confident. I went on with it.”
The third place finish is an improvement on the two fifth place finishes Austin had in its first two state meets. Raymond is hoping his squad uses the finish as motivation to work even harder this summer.
“There’s a lot to be learned,” he said. “It comes down to the offeseason and there will be a lot of questions from the girls, like I f I could’ve, If I would’ve had one more skill. Those are the moments that inspire you to work harder in the summer.”
Mullenbach said although summer is sometimes a good break, she’s ready to put in the work it takes to get better.
“I don’t want to leave for the summer and not be ready for next season. I know we’ll be ready next year,” she said.
The Packers will graduate two seniors and return their other 10 gymnasts next season.
“We’ll miss Abby Snater and Cassidy Bawek. They’ve done great job, but we have a lot of kids who are ready to take their spots,” Raymond said.
Austin’s Abby Bickler wraps up her floor routine during the Minnesota State Gymnastics Meet Friday at the University of Minnesota’s Sports Pavilion. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Beam: Sela Fadness (8.95); Abby Snater (8.85); Maddie Mullenbach (8.6); Abby Bickler (8.45); Carolyn Hackel (8.15)
Floor: Sela Fadness (9.750); Abby Bickler (9.575); Maddie Mullenbach (9.525); Carolyn Hackel (9.325); Rachel Quandt (9.05)
Vault: Sela Fadness (9.65); Maddie Mullenbach (9.55); Abby Bickler (9.15); Carolyn Hackel (8.85); Cassidy Bawek (8.725)
Bars: Sela Fadness (9.475); Abby Bickler (9.075); Maddie Mullenbach (8.95); Abby Snater (8.525); Carolyn Hackel (8.475)
Full Packer gymnastics coverage:
- Top of the mountain: Fadness wins all-around state title
- Gallery: Featuring gymnastics
- Packers place three in top-10 at state individual meet
- Live updates from Packers at state gymnastics
- Packer gymnasts take third at state behind New Prague and Melrose
- The Fantastic Floor: Packers set a state record
