Park gymnastics: Wolfpack scores season-high 139.3, takes third in Brainerd

Though still not close to 100 percent, the Park gymnastics team is starting to put it together.

Park took third place at the Brainerd Holiday Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 22, scoring a season-high 139.3, despite being without senior Rachel Deephouse, who was out, and with a few of its top gymnasts just returning from injuries.

In the invite, Melrose, ranked second in Class A, finished in first place with a 141.85 score, edging Austin – ranked third in Class A – which scored 141.55. Park, ranked 15th in Class AA, outscored eight-ranked Lakeville North in the meet. The Panthers were fifth (138.5), behind Big Lake (139.050).

Park senior McKay Zurn led the way in the meet. Zurn earned sixth place in the all-around competition, scoring 34.95. Melrose’s Jailyn Brinkman won the all-around with a 37.1. Junior Sarah LaBrosse also fared well in the all-around, scoring 30.50.

In individual events, Park senior Kasondra Tulloch had the Wolfpack’s top placing, finished second on the bars with a 9.4, just behind Brinkman (9.45). Sarah Schank (8.4) took 11th and Zurn (8.350) was 12th. Tulloch also finished in ninth place in the floor exercise with a 9.05, just ahead of Zurn, who was 10th (9.0). also, Park junior Michaela Thiefoldt and sophomore Carlee Washenberger tied for 13th overall with matching scores of 8.9 in the event. Additionally, junior Allie Minogue (8.75) and sophomore Gia Larson (8.7) took 17th and 19th, respectively. Zurn and Schank tied for 10th overall on the beam, turning in matching 8.9 scores. Tulloch scored an 8.4 to take 20th and senior Morgan Schank scored an 8.3 to earn 25th overall.

Theifoldt had Park’s top score in the vault with an 8.9, which was good for seventh place overall. Sarah Schank took ninth with an 8.85, LaBrosse finished 11th with an 8.8 and Zurn took 14th with an 8.7. Washenberger also scored well, taking 20th with an 8.6.

Next, Park plays host to rival East Ridge on Thursday, Jan. 10, at Park High School. The meet starts at 6:30 p.m.

Tags: sports, gymnastics, park, wolfpack, prep