Huron gymnastics team prepares for State Meet

HURON — The Huron gymnastics team accomplished something it hasn't done in the past three years — qualify to compete in the team competition during the Class AA State Meet. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday at 10:45 a.m., followed by start of competition at 11 a.m.
“We are looking forward to just being at the big show for the state competition,” said Julie King, who is the head coach for the Tigers. “It is the first time for this group of girls and they are thrilled, excited and ready to show them what Huron Tiger gymnasts are made of.”
Despite having a somewhat young roster, King believes her team has positioned itself to earn a spot on the podium during the season-ending event. The top six teams reach the podium, meaning the seventh-seeded Tigers would need to finish at least one spot higher than its seeding.
“My expectations for team day is that the girls get out there and do what we have been practicing all season — stay tight, hit their skills and enjoy themselves,” King said. “They have worked very hard this season and they are excited and ready for a state competition.”
Closing their high school careers at the state meet for Huron will be seniors Kaitlyn King, Emily Lord and Hailey Haber. They will be joined on the roster by juniors Brittni Nelson and Sarah Christenson, along with sophomores Erica Zell, Kassie Decker and Jaci Bankston and freshmen Leah Pyle and Jamee Kattner.
“As a whole, our team is a tight-bonded team that supports each other's efforts. They work hard everyday in the gym and I am proud of every single one of the girls,” King said. “It is a huge accomplishment to make it to the state meet and this group of girls has done just that.
“It has been three years since we have taken a team to state and they are ready to give their best performance,” she said.
Each team is allowed to compete five gymnasts in each event during the state competition, with the top four scored being tallied for the team score.

Watertown and Mitchell are the favorites to emerge with the team title in the 9-team competition, which will conclude with the awards ceremony at approximately 4 p.m.
Following the team competition, the Class AA individual competition will be held Saturday at 10:15 a.m.
Huron has three gymnasts, who have qualified to compete during the individual competition.
Zell is the lone participant in the all-around competition for the Tigers.
“Erica has put in extra time in the off season to perfect her sills and it has paid off for her,” King said. “She has always been a very dedicated gymnast and strives to perfect her skills every day in the gym.
“She has had some mountains to climb with some injuries through the season, but you would never know it because she doesn't let anything hold her back,” she said.
Joining Zell in the individual competition for the Tigers will be Lord and Decker. Lord will be making her first appearance in the individual competition on the uneven bars.
“She has really improved on her bars and has added several skills to make it a very solid bar routine,” King said of Lord.
Decker has qualified to compete on the balance beam.
“She has become a very solid gymnast on the beam. She is confident and does amazing skills,” King said of Decker. “Her jumps are almost as high as she is tall.
“I have been very impressed with her as a gymnast this season and there will be more to come with her and her talent,” she said.
The final day of competition will close with some special awards being handed out at approximately 3 p.m., with the individual awards to follow.

MIKE CARROL/PLAINSMAN
Erica Zell will compete in the All-Around competition at the State Gymnastics Meet to be held at Watertown this weekend.

Next is Kassie Decker, who will take her skills to compete on the balance beam.

And next, Emily Lord is set to compete in the uneven bars event at the State Meet.