Prep gymnastics preview

Roseville seeks its fourth Class 2A championship in a row.

By JIM PAULSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: December 5, 2008 - 12:45 AM

THREE STORY LINES

A fourth for Roseville? The Raiders have broken records en route to three consecutive Class 2A team titles. They had the highest team score in state history when they topped 154.65 in the Class 2A, Section 4 meet last year. Key performers Sarah Baker and Jenna Lensing have graduated, but the Raiders have the state's best prep gymnast back in Anna Gleason. Joining Gleason is senior Christy Hammond, who was second in Class 2A vaulting, and veterans Ali Farmer and Katie Williams.

Last hurrah for Alise Post: Perhaps no gymnast in the state has a brighter athletic future than the St. Cloud Tech senior. Post is a world-class BMX bike racer, ranked No. 2 in the world among girls. Post also has won three Class 2A vaulting titles and has the talent to win an all-around title.

Lakeville is back (South, that is): When the Lakeville school district went to two high schools, the gymnastics team was torn in half. While longtime coach Milan Mader continues to rebuild the program at Lakeville North, the upstarts from Lakeville South have put together a very strong team. With seniors Vanessa Zahratka and Brinna Zimmer and junior Kayla Widmar, the Cougars have a potent trio.

INDIVIDUALS TO WATCH

Anna Gleason, Roseville, sr.: Defending Class 2A all-around champion

Alise Post, St. Cloud Tech, sr.: An explosive, dynamic vaulter with eyes on the Class 2A all-around title.

Christy Hammond, Roseville, sr.: Ready to step out of the shadows of teammates.

Carmen Lundell, Breck, sr.: The defending Class 1A All-Around and vaulting champion could be even better this season.

RachelAnn Anderson, Maple Grove, sr.: Won Class 2A floor exercise, fifth in all-around.

Others: Taylor Brett, Forest Lake, jr.; Vanessa Zahratka, Lakeville South, sr.; Emily Stalpes, Wayzata, sr.; Lexi Smith, Eden Prairie, soph.; Hannah Dvorak, Northfield

TEAMS TO WATCH

Class 2A

Roseville: The Raiders suffered a couple of significant personnel losses, but the program is too strong to fall far.

Lakeville South: Cougars are closing the gap.

St. Cloud Tech: Runner-up in Class 2A two years in a row.

Eden Prairie: Eagles are talented and deep.

Woodbury: Newcomer Jenna Kilgore, a sophomore, is a level 10 club gymnast.

Class 1A

Perham: The Yellowjackets are shooting for their sixth state championship in a row.

Becker: Everyone from its 2007 Class 1A third-place team is back.

Breck: Coach Peggy Fifield calls this the strongest team she has coached in 12 years at Breck.

Martin County West: Seventh-grader Rebecca Steen takes over for graduated sister Sabrina.

New Prague: Always a factor in postseason.

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