Gymnastics story lines
Lakeville love: Lakeville North's 2017 Class 2A team championship was the first for the program since the Panthers' run of nine titles in 11 years ended in 2003. The district split into two high schools, North and South, in 2005, and each school has methodically built a solid program on that championship foundation. This year, both schools can boast top-notch programs with state championship dreams. Problem is, both are in Section 1. When the 2018 state meet rolls around, one will be forced to watch from the U of M's Maturi Pavilion bleachers.
Perspective: Roseville's crack coaching staff — Mike Flatten, Mark Curley and Julie Castellano — rarely talked about winning, even when the Raiders were setting state and national scoring records a decade ago. Roseville's talent pool is down from its glory days, but the message is the same: Have fun, be supportive and build lasting relationships. It's a foundation for success, regardless of what happens in the gym.
Co-ops form, co-ops dissolve: For the first time, Apple Valley (a one-time large-school powerhouse) and Eastview are combining to form a single team. Elk River and Zimmerman are back together. But Blaine and Andover will be separate teams for the first time. The gymnasts from those two schools will, however, still train together because they share a common coach in Dan Salava.
Jim Paulsen
