Mahtomedi coach Debbie Driscoll, a veteran of many a stressful moment in her 42 years coaching the Zephyrs, squatted next to the uneven bars as her latest superb talent, Bella Frattalone, was about to step up to the springboard.
Driscoll turned to the media table behind her and whispered, "What does she need?" Translation: What score did Frattalone need to secure the Class 1A all-around championship?
"She needs a 9.65 to tie," came the reply.
Driscoll rolled her eyes. "So stressful," she said. "But it's a fun stress."
Driscoll need not have worried. Frattalone, a junior in her first year of high school gymnastics, coolly nailed it, posting a 9.7, winning the all-around title with a score of 38.65, besting Detroit Lakes senior Cora Okeson by just a half-point.
When her uneven bars scores were posted Saturday at Maturi Pavilion at the University of Minnesota, Frattalone shared an extended hug with Driscoll.
"I knew what I needed, and when I saw that score, I was full of emotion," Frattalone said.
It was a fitting end to one of the more memorable individuals duels in the history of the meet. The rotations of the two competitors followed each other, with Okeson setting the bar high on each event and Frattalone following up with an equally robust score.
