MINNEAPOLIS — One Packer gymnast exceeded her own expectations and another proved to be model of consistency at the Class A state gymnastics individual meet in the University of Minnesota Sports Pavilion Saturday.

Austin freshman Jennifer Boyle became the second Packer gymnast since 2001 to win a state title when she placed first in the uneven parallel bars with a score of 9.575 and sophomore Maddie Mullenbach finished in the top-five in all-around for the third time in three years.

Boyle, who finished ninth in the all-around with a career best score of 36.975, surprised even herself with her performance on the bars.

“I definitely didn’t think I was going to win, but if I knew it was any event it would be bars where I had a chance. It felt weird [to be up there]. I’m used to it,” Boyle said.

Boyle watched Austin grad Sela Fadness win back-to-back state all-around championships the past two years and she’s been around other gymnasts who have reached the state podium including Mullenbach and Abby Bickler.

“I’ve always looked up to them in the gym and I’ve always wanted to be where they were. It happened,” Boyle said. “Next year is going to be a really good year, because we know what we’ll be capable of and we’ll have about the same team.”

Mullenbach came in with hopes and she took fifth place for the second straight year after taking fourth the all-around in 2013. Mullenbach also took fifth on the floor with a 9.5.

“You get what you get. You practice all year and you never know what’s going to happen,” Mullenbach said. “You can have a really good day at sections and not have the greatest day at state. That’s kind of what happened to me, but I’m still satisfied. I still have two years left and I can improve quite a bit.”

Mullenbach was happy to see Boyle succeed on the bars and she’s excited about the future the two have together on the gymnastics team. The finish for the Packer gymnastics team was a strong one for a squad that faced some adversity this year.

“It was really devastating because [Abby Bickler and Carolyn Hackel] and practiced really hard at the beginning of the year,” Mullenbach said. “Especially for Carolyn getting through her first injury and then getting a second one. She had a really good year and so did Abby. I’m really happy for Abby continuing her career at Winona.”

First year Austin head coach Alex Bade liked what both of his gymnasts showed him on Saturday.

“I thought they both had really awesome days. Maddie’s always solid in everything she does. She had a good day. It wasn’t her best day, but she still finished strong. Having Jen finish first is great and she had a good day in the all-around,” Bade said. “[Boyle] doesn’t exactly realize how good she is and I don’t think she came into the meet with a whole lot of expectations. I think that might’ve worked into her advantage a little bit.”

Austin sophomore Paige Raymond took 29th in the balance beam for the Packers in her first individual state meet appearance.

RESULTS

All-Around: Maddie Mullenbach (fourth, 37.45); Jennifer Boyle (ninth, 36.975); vault: Boyle (14th, 9.4); Mullenbach (9.4125); bars: Boyle (first, 9.550); Mullenbach (seventh, 9.3); beam: Mullenbach (eighth, 9.2125); Boyle (9.2); Paige Raymond (29th, 7.8375); floor: Mullenbach (fifth, 9.525); Boyle (8.825)