WISCONSIN RAPIDS — The West Salem co-operative gymnastics team completed its fourth straight appearance at the WIAA state tournament with an eighth-place finish in Division 1 at Wisconsin Rapids on Friday.
The Panthers placed sixth, then were runner-up twice in a row in Division 2 before being moved up a division this season. The co-op, which also included competitors from Aquinas and Bangor, put together a team score of 135.8 in a meet won by a co-op from Chippewa Falls (143.55).
“I’m so proud of how the girls bonded together and made history competing in the Division 1 meet,” West Salem coach Carrie O’Hearn said.
Co-ops from Oak Creek and Verona were second (142,6) and third (142.433), respectively.
West Salem had its highest collective score on the floor exercise (34.833) and wasn’t far behind that on the balance beam (34.783).
“Senior Kennedy Garbers had a great last floor routine,” O”hearn said. “Freshman Grace Olson had a great meet and solid beam routine.
“Junior Olivia Maki had her career high on vault with a beautiful pike tsuk.”
Makii’s 9.183 on the vault was the sixth-best Division 1 performance of the day, and Garbers’ 9.0 on the floor ranked 11th among indivduals during team day. Junior Camdyn Lyga was right behind Garbers with an 8.983. Garbers finished with an all-around score of 33.717.
The G-E-T co-op finished sixth in Division 2 with a score of 135.633.
Individual competition takes place Saturday.
Holmen’s Katie Lange has qualified all-around in Division 1, and Logan/Central sophomore Danika Parnell will compete in the vault. West Salem’s Garbers and junior Hayden Rohde are qualified in Division 1 for the uneven bars.
In Division 2, Onalaska/Luther senior Eva Dryer has qualified all-around.
