Packer gymnasts break two Big Nine records as they lock up second straight conference title
Published 9:03 pm Sunday, February 9, 2014
The Austin gymnastics team stands on the podium after winning its second straight Big Nine championship at Rochester Century Saturday. — Photo provided
The Austin gymnastics team responded to one of its biggest challenges of the season with its best performance of the season as it won its second straight Big Nine championship at the Big Nine meet in Rochester Century Saturday.
The Packers set a Big Nine record for points in a meet at 149.8 and they set a new conference record for floor exercise with a 38.2.
Winona took second with a 147.5 and the Packers had a slim lead over the Winhawks when they closed the day with their fantastic performance on the floor.
Abby Bickler, center, highfives coach Mark Raymond after her floor routine Saturday, as assistant coach Amy Hajek applauds in the background.
“We had put together a good day on three events and had a small lead on Winona, who was having a great day of their own,” Austin head coach Mark Raymond said. “I got the girls together and told them about the day, the small lead and asked if they could put it away on floor. The result was amazing to watch.”
The Packers scored at least a 9.0 on 15 of their 20 events and the 149.8 is the highest mark Austin has hit in school history. Raymond, who was named Big Nine coach of the year, thinks his team can go a little higher.
No team has ever scored a 150 at the Class ‘A’ state meet and Raymond would love to see his Packers do it.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we did it,” Raymond said. “We still have a little left. There are points out there.”
Austin’s Sela Fadness finished second in the all-around, Maddie Mullenbach was fourth and Abby Bickler was seventh. Fadness finished with a score of 38.375 and Winona’s Hallie Remlinger won the all-around with a 38.425.
Fadness, Mullenbach and Bickler made the All-Big Nine team and Carolyn Hackel was honorable mention.
AUSTIN RESULTS
Vault: Sela Fadness (second, 9.650); Maddie Mullenbach (fourth, 9.450); Abby Bickler (seventh, 9.200); Jennifer Boyle (ninth, 9.125)
Bars: Sela Fadness (second, 9.475); Jennifer Boyle (fifth, 9.300); Abby Bickler (10th, 8.950); Carolyn Hackel (10th, 8.775)
Beam: Maddie Mullenbach (first, 9.700); Sela Fadness (second, 9.550)
Floor: Sela Fadness (first, 9.700); Abby Bickler (third, 9.650); Maddie Mullenbach (fourth, 9.575); Carolyn Hackel (eighth, 9.350); Jennifer Boyle (ninth, 9.250)
All-Around: Sela Fadness (second, 38.375); Maddie Mullenbach (third, 37.950); Abby Bickler (eighth, 36.500)
