Saints gymnasts earn State True Team Meet bid

(ABOVE PHOTO) Members of the 2022-23 Saints varsity gymnastics team includes: front row, Bianca Salivia, Laura Klatt, Addison Landsom; back row, Vivian Hendrickson (inset photo), Trista Landson, Kerrigan Wilking, Cadence Tish, and Maya VanGrootheest (inset photo). 

Event to be held in Worthington on January 28th; to feature 10 of top 12 teams in Class A

Saint Peter High School’s varsity gymnastics team was recently rewarded for its tremendous season to date as they are one of 10 Class A teams in the state chosen to compete in the Minnesota State True Team Gymnastics Meet. The event will take place at Worthington’s Learning Center/Gymnastics Facility on Satuday, Jan. 28, starting time to be announced.

The top 12 ranked/scoring teams in Class A in the state are eligible for the True Team State Meet and the top 10 of the available teams from that group will compete in Worthington on January 28th. In addition to St. Peter, other teams competing include Big Lake, Mankato West, Worthington, Detroit Lakes, Melrose, Becker, New London-Spicer, Byron, and Benson/Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg. 

This will be the Saints’ first-ever trip to the Minnesota Class A State True Team and the Saints are currently ranked 11th in Class A with a top team score of 134.633, less than 0.3 of a point out of the 10th spot and 0.7 of a point out of 9th place in the rankings. 

“The fact that this is the first time the St. Peter varsity gymnastics team has qualified for the True Team Tournament, says a lot about the talent on this team,” Saints’ Head Coach Kris Glidden said. “I am thrilled that they have proven that they are in the top twelve teams in the state and haven't hit their peak yet. 

“Everyone in the gym has been working on new high level skills and if all goes as planned, they will be putting them into their routines by this meet, for sure by sections in February. These athletes have demonstrated great commitment, attending 6 a.m. weight lifting twice a week and 6 a.m. practices once a week, on top of their regular practices, since November. This meet is an honor to attend and a testament to their talent and hard work.”

Saints’ varsity gymnastics team members that will compete at the True Team State Meet include seniors Cadence Tish and Kerrigan Wilking, juniors Laura Klatt and (alternate) Maya VanGrootheest, sophomores Addison Landsom and Trista Landsom, freshman Bianca Salivia, and eighth grader Vivian Hendrickson. Student managers are Anna Boomgarden, Kailyn Embacher and Nora Fondie. Glidden’s assistant coaches are Camille Kurtenbach and Eva Hendrickson.