WATERTOWN, S.D. — Mitchell gymnastics closed out the regular season on a strong note Saturday, tying for second place at the Last Chance State Qualifier with a team score of 142.900.
The Kernels matched Sioux Falls Lincoln for runner-up honors behind meet champion Harrisburg (150.85). Pierre T.F. Riggs was fourth at 134.125, followed by Aberdeen Central (129.6) and Sioux Falls Washington (113.5).
The Kernels were powered by a pair of top-10 all-around finishes. Olivia Prunty led Mitchell with a fourth-place score of 35.7, highlighted by a 9.1 on floor exercise, a 9.075 on bars and an 8.725 on beam. Ava Hart added an eighth-place finish at 33.9, including strong marks on vault (8.950) and floor (8.925).
Mitchell saw several standout event performances throughout the meet. Abby Hohn placed among the top vault finishers with a 9.375 and added a 9.050 on beam. On the uneven bars, Kyanna Gropper delivered one of the top routines of the day with a runner-up score of 9.375, while Prunty also cracked the upper tier with a 9.075. Beam consistency was evident with Hohn, Prunty (8.725), Abby Jo Helleloid (8.7) and Shae Hohn (8.575) all contributing solid scores.
Floor exercise added more depth, with Helleloid posting a 9.025, Hart scoring 8.925 and Hohn adding an 8.825. Mitchell also received vault contributions from Hart, McKenna Auch and Sury Bechen at 8.95.
Harrisburg’s Katelyn Maeschen captured the all-around title with a 38.300, leading the Tigers to the team championship.
Mitchell will host the Class A and AA state gymnastics meet on Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14 at the high school gym.