BROOKINGS — An injury-depleted lineup was a key factor for the Huron gymnastics team as it made its bid to qualify for the Class AA State Meet on Saturday at the Eastern South Dakota Conference Meet.
The Tigers, who were missing three of their most experienced gymnasts due to injury, finished eighth in the eighth-team event with a score of 116.325, thus ending their season.
“Not where we wanted the season to end for the team. Our season has been plagued with injuries, making the remainder of the season a little rough,” Huron coach Julie King said. “Erica Zell as unable to compete due to a back injury, Kassie Decker just had surgery this week on her knee, along with Cailey Coss having surgery on her arm.”
Mitchell tallied 145.880 points to claim the ESD title, while Watertown was second at 144.125. Brookings was third at 138.150, followed by Yankton at 133.725, Pierre at 133.600, Aberdeen Central at 133.450, Harrisburg at 117.100 and Huron.
Senior Sarah Christenson was the top finisher for the Tigers in the all-around with 31.200, which put her 18th overall. Sophomore Jamee Kattner was 19th at 29.175, while junior Jacelyn Bankston was 23rd at 27.100 and freshman McKenzie Paulson was 25th at 25.550.
“I’m proud of the team’s effort,” King said. “It gae some young girls some experience for the future.”
Christenson led Huron in three of the four events. She was 27th on the vault at 8.020, 21st on the beam at 7.700 and 26th in floor exercise at 8.025.

Kattner paced the Tigers on the bars with a 7.475 to finish 25th. She was also right behind Christenson on the vault with an 8.00.
“Sarah Christenson had another consistent day. I’m proud of her efforts,” King said. “Jamee Kattner had a great bar routine and vault.”
The top three teams from both of the Class AA qualifying meets, along with teams with the next three highest scores will compete in the State Meet, which is scheduled for Friday in Brookings. The individual portion of the State Meet will be held Saturday.
 
Eastern South Dakota Conference Meet
Saturday in Brookings
Team scores: 1, Mitchell, 145.80; 2, Watertown, 144.125; 3, Brookings, 138.150; 4, Yankton, 133.725; 5, Pierre T.F. Riggs, 133.60; 6, Aberdeen Central, 133.450; 7, Harrisburg, 117.10; 8, Huron, 116.325.
All around: 1, Myah Morris, W, 37.425; 2, Kaylee Bauder, M, 36.825; 3, Maria Krall, M, 36.550; 4, Erica Hageman, W, 35.925; 5, Mikah Moser, P, 34.950; 18, Sarah Christenson, HU, 31.20; 19, Jamee Kattner, HU, 29.175; 23, Jacelyn Bankston, HU, 27.10; 25, McKenzie Paulson, HU, 25. 550.
Vault: 1, Myah Morris, W, 9.70; 2, Mikah Moser, P, 9.45; 3, Kaylee Bauder, M, 9.375; 4 (Tied), Alyssa Hughes, M, Emily Moody, M, 9.30; 5 (Tied), Aspyn Lundquist, AC, Brooke Malsom, AC, 9.275; 27, Sarah Christenson, HU, 8.025; 28, Jamee Kattner, HU, 8.0; 35, Nightin Day, HU, 7.45; 36, Jacelyn Bankston, HU, 7.40; 37, Mckenzie Paulson, HU, 7.35; 38, Brittni Nelson, HU, 7.325.
Bars: 1, Mariah Krall, M, 9.60; 2, Myah Morris, W, 9.25; 3, Kyra Gropper, M, 9.025; 4, Kaylee Bauder, M, 8.950; 5 (Tied), Alyssa Hughes, M, Brooke Bolinger, W, Erica Hageman, W, 8.90; 25, James Kattner, HU, 7.475; 26, Sarah Christenson, HU, 7.45; 32, Leah Pyle, HU, 5.70; 33, Jacelyn Bankston, HU, 5.275; 35, Nightin Day, HU, 4.475; 37, McKenzie Paulson, HU, 3.525.
Beam: 1, Kaylee Bauden, M, 9.30; 2, Kyra Gropper, M, 8.975; 3 (Tied), Maria Krall, M, Myah Morris, W, 8.95; 4, Maggie Schaefer, Y, 8.925; 5, Erica Hageman, W, 8.80; 21, Sarah Christenson, HU, 7.70; 29; Leah Pyle, HU, 7.10; 30, McKenzie Paulson, HU, 6.975; 31, Jacelyn Bankston, HU, 6.925; 32, Jamee Kattner, HU, 6.50; 36, Brittni Nelson, HU, 5.25.
Floor: 1, Erica Hageman, W, 9.55; 2, Myah Morris, W, 9.525; 3, Brooke Bollinger, W, 9.375; 4, Maria Krall, M, 9.35; 5 (Tied), Mary Mock, M, Rachel Gannon, B, 9.30; 26, Sarah Christenson, HU, 8.025; 28, McKenzie Paulson, HU, 7.70; 29, Hailey Bixler, HU, 7.625; 32, Jacelyn Bankston, HU, 7.50; 33, Leah Pyle, HU, 7.45; 35, Jamee Kattner, HU, 7.20.