GYMNASTS HOST SISSETON

 The Britton-Hecla gymnastics squad continued its season-long battles with Sisseton when they hosted its eastern neighbors on Thursday.
    The two clubs have been within a few points of each other all year and the latest meeting was no exception with Sisseton coming out on top in the dual 136.300-133.750.  Coach Angela Grupe’s squad was scheduled to compete at Madison on Saturday but did not make the trip due to poor weather conditions.
    Britton-Hecla competed at Watertown last night Tuesday, travels to Deuel on Friday, and Estelline-Hendricks will host a meet on Monday in Hendricks, MN.  B-H will wrap up its regular season at Deuel on Jan. 31 and host the NEC/Region meet on Thursday, Feb. 5.
    “The state is again looking tough and the local competition is probably as strong as it’s been as long as I can remember,” noted Grupe.  “I’m hoping to heal up a few injuries and be able to compete stronger over the next couple weeks as we will need every tenth we can get going into postseason.
    “I have a strong core of girls that continue to improve and I expect to see it all come together in the next few meets.  Of course beam will always be a determining factor for us (like it is for any team) but I count it as one of our strengths, so we will need to be very consistent come postseason.  I believe we need to improve on the vault to be where we want to be and that will be my primary focus going into the final weeks.
    “We are still slowly working Abby Lee back into her events,” concluded Grupe.  “We are still at just two events and I’m unsure if we will get her back on floor and beam.  Jaelee Grupe is still working on getting to full strength after her back injury.  Kennady Van Lith has been putting up consistently strong numbers for our team.”
    Van Lith was second on vault, floor, and all-around and third on bars against Sisseton.  Grupe posted a second place on beam, and was fifth on bars, floor, and all-around.  Ava Teveldal added a fourth place in floor and Abby Lee was fourth on bars.
    The B-H junior varsity added another meet title.  Ady Schmieg led the way with first place finishes on bars, floor, and all-around, and Marley Sundin won the vault.
  FOR FULL STATS, SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL.