East Ridge gymnastics: Raptors fall to Stillwater by less than a point

• Lauren LaForte

Lauren LaForte and the East Ridge girls gymnastics team fell to Stillwater by less than a point in a Suburban East Conference meet last week.

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East Ridge fell to Stillwater by the slimmest of margins, 131.875 to 131.35, on Thursday, Dec. 9, in the gymnastics team’s second Suburban East Conference match of the year.

It was the second consecutive season the Raptors lost to Stillwater (1-1) by less than one point. Last year, the Ponies won by two-tenths of a point.

“Every time we have a head-to-head competition with Stillwater it is a very close meet,” East Ridge head coach Christine Askham said. “We had some big mistakes this meet which essentially cost us the meet. Our plan now is to practice even harder than before so we can compete like we practice.”

Junior Leah Robinette led the way for the Raptors (1-1) in the meet, taking first place on the bars, (9.35), vault ( 9.375), beam (8.575), floor (9.05) and in the all-around competition (36.35). Additionally, freshman Keliana Thompson took third on beam (8.1) and Megan Trollen took third on bars (7.75).

“Leah had a standout meet hitting every routine,” Askham said. “She had a mistake on bars but was able to recover fluidly and it didn't affect her score too much. Lauren LaForte added a new tumbling pass on floor and Jamila Joiner had a great floor routine.”

Next, the Raptors play host to the White Bear Lake Bears on Thursday, Dec. 16, at East Ridge High School.

“White Bear Lake beat us last year and we will need to compete at our potential next week in order to come out on top,” Askham said.

Tags: east ridge, cottage grove, sports, gymnastics, raptors, preps, woodbury