The Austin girls' gymnastics team finished the season without a state qualifier, but the Packers were pleased to the extent that they had one.

AHS placed sixth at the season-ending Section 1 meet Saturday in Winona, but the team's performance on the balance beam verified a year of hard work and dedication. In five beam routines Saturday, the Packers had just one fall while recording three personal-best scores.

"All in all it was a wonderful day," said first-year coach Billie Jo Wicks. "We were really pleased with our overall performance, but we were especially pleased with our beam. I would have to say that

was the highlight of our day, possibly even the highlight of our entire year.

"We've been working really hard at it. It's been a weak spot for us so we've been trying to work it up and I feel that we did that and it really showed."

Whitney Johnson led the Packers with an 8.35 on the balance beam, while three others added career-best performances. Bethany Larson earned a 7.9, Hayley Fisher a 7.3, and Molly Pease a 7.25 to set personal records. Hayley Astrup also contributed a 7.15 to Austin's final effort at competition on the balance beam.

Winona continued its dominance of Southern Minnesota with a first-place finish, totalling 147.925. Austin was sixth in the section with a 121.575.