By John George
Despite being less than full strength, the Yellowjacket gymnastics team finished second at the Jackie Mann Invitational Saturday at Hauer Gymnasium in Perham High School.
Led by All-Around champ Chelsey Evenson (37.0), Cambridge-Isanti won the team title with 146.50 points, 11 points ahead of the Jackets (135.5).
Perham was led by freshman Kelsi Vomaka, who finished second in the All-Around (35.85) and had individual titles on the vault 9.5) and balance beam (9.45).
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"Well, the pressure's off," Vomacka said smiling, referring to the first meet of the season as the Jackets set out to defend their four-straight Class A State Championships. "After all that practice (they began Nov. 12), it was nice to finally compete, even though we didn't do as well as we would have liked."
The Jackets were without their lone senior, Miranda Schmitz, who injured her elbow in practice last week and probably won't be back until January.
As a result, Perham had a few girls competing in their first major varsity meet, including eighth grader Satera Montella, and freshman Carly Peterson and Zoie Potts. Potts is a transfer from California. Her best finish came on the uneven bars, where she had a team-high score of 8.25 to tie for eighth place.
"Zoie did really good," Vomacka said. "I don't think she's ever been in a meet like this. Satera sucked it up and had a nice routine on the bars after hurting her ankle on the vault."
Jenna Schmitz had the team's best score in the floor exercise with a 8.95 (6th place) and was seventh in the All-Around (33.10). Mikaela Eickschen was ninth in the All-Around (32.5) with her best event coming on the vault where she tied for seventh (8.9.).
"I think we'll get stronger as the year goes on," Vomacka said. "Once Miranda gets back our other girls will have gotten some nice experience. Watch out for us after Christmas."
Home Triangular
The Jackets looked much better Tuesday night, except in one event, in winning their home triangular with 140.20 points.
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Park Rapids was second with 105.95, followed by Frazee with 103.95.
Perham had a number of mistakes on the bars, resulting in a 32.65 team score in the event.
Vomacka won the All-Around with a 37.10. She won three of the four individual events with Schmitz edging her on the balance beam by one-tenth of a point.
Eickschen was second in the All-Around (35.15), with runner-up finishes on the vault and with her floor exercise.
Coming up
Perham will host Becker in a dual meet on Dec. 14. They head to Alexandria on Dec. 20 for their final meet of 2007. They wont return to competitive action again until Jan. 12, 2008 at the Lakeville Invitational.
Saturday, December 8
Jackie Mann Invitational
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1. Cambridge-Isanti 146.5, 2. Perham 135.5, 3. Bismarck High 129.7, 4. Minnetonka 129.1, 5. Bismarck Century 128.75, 6. Bemidji 116.15.
Individual Results
Vault--1. Kelsi Vomacka (P) 9.5, T-7. Mikaela Eickschen (P) 8.9, T-16. Carly Peterson (P), Satera Montella (P) 8.3, 26. Jenna Schmitz (P) 8.0.
Uneven Bars--1. Cheri Evenson (CI) 9.3, T-8. Zoie Potts (P) 8.25, T-10. Vomacka (P) 8.2, 14. Montela (P) 7.6, T-18. Eickschen, Schmitz (P) 7.4.
Balance Beam--1. Vomacka (P) 9.45, 7. Schmitz (P) 8.75, 9. Potts (P) 8.35, 14. Peterson (P) 7.9, 15. Eickschen (P) 7.7.
Floor Exercise--1. Rooney (CI) 9.55, 6. Schmitz (P) 8.95, 12. Vomacka (P) 8.7, 15. Eickschen (P) 8.5, T-16. Peterson (P) 8.45, 20. Potts (P) 7.75.
All-Around--1. Chelsey Evenson (CI) 37.0, 2. Vomacka (P) 35.85, 7. Schmitz (P) 33.10, 9. Eickschen (P) 32.5.
Tuesday, December 11
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Perham Triangular
1. Perham 140.20, 2. Park Rapids 105.95, 3. Frazee 103.95.
Individual Results
Vault--1. Vomacka (P) 9.7, 2. Eickschen (P) 8.95, 3. Peterson (P) 8.45, 6. Schmitz (P) 8.3, 9. Montella (P) 7.95.
Uneven Bars--1. Vomacka 8.95, 2. Schmitz 8.4, 4. Eickschen 8.0, 6. Perterson 7.3, 8. Potts 6.7.
Balance Beam--1. Schmitz 9.15, 2. Vomacka 9.05, 3. Eickschen 9.0, 4. Potts 9.0, 5. Peterson 8.45.
Floor Exercise--1. Vomacka 9.4, 2. Eickschen 9.2, 3. Schmitz 9.15, T-4. Potts, Peterson 8.2.
All-Around--1. Vomacka 37.10, 2. Eickschen 35.15, 3. Schmitz 35.0, 4. Peterson 32.4.
