Huron gymnasts open season against Brookings

BROOKINGS — Erica Zell became the first ever Huron gymnasts to execute a flip on the vault, as the Tigers opened their season Monday with a dual against Brookings.
The move paid great dividends, as Zell turned in the top score of 9.100 to win on the vault. She also used a score of 9.400 to win the floor exercise and claimed the all-around title with a score of 35.500.
“Erica Zell had a tremendous night, including the first flip on the vault in Huron Tiger history,” Huron coach Julie King said. “She continued to find success in all areas tonight.”
In addition to her two event wins, Zell was second for the Tigers on the bars with an 8.300 and second on the beam with an 8.700.
In the team competition, Brookings posted a score of 135.300 to claim the victory against the Tigers, who had a score of 122.650.
Emily Lord was third for Huron in the floor exercise with an 8.800, while Sarah Christenson was sixth with an 8.200.
Lord was also sixth for the Tigers in the all-around, with a score of 31.800. She was seventh on the bars at 7.750 and eighth on the beam with a 7.250.

Christenson was sixth on the vault with an 8.300 for Huron.
“Sarah Christenson and Emily Lord also stepped up and had a great night,” King said. “The girls did a fantastic job of working hard.
“We found success in many areas tonight,” she said. “We’re looking forward to our first home meet of the season on Thursday.”
Brookings also won the junior varsity competition with a score of 111.100, compared to 98.100 for the Tigers.
Jaci Bankston claimed a share of the victory on the beam for Huron with a score of 6.550, while teammate Jamee Kattner shared the top spot on the vault with a score of 7.900.
Kattner was third in the all-around at 25.250, while Bankston was fourth at 24.800 and McKenzie Paulson was fifth at 21.900.
The Tigers will host a quadrangular on Thursday, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Tiger Activities Center.

Photos:

Huron’s Leah Pyle competes on the bars during a gymnastics dual on Monday in Brookings.

Huron’s Sarah Christenson competes on the bars during a dual competititon against Brookings on Monday in Brookings.

Photos by Sean Welsh/Brookings Register