Becker just misses qualifying for state meet

A good season came to an end for the Hastings gymnastics team last week. For one gymnast, though, the season was nearly extended.

HHS junior Jamie Becker placed fourth in the beam and got bumped out of the qualifying spots because there was a tie for third place. She had a score of 9.10.

“It’s kind of a bummer, but was still excited – she got two 9s,” coach Jeanne Kasel said. “We just moved her jumps around. We changed up her routine, and it helped.”

Hastings finished the team competition with a score of 131.475, which was the team’s season-high score, Kasel said.

“I was happy, and the girls were happy with how things turned out,” Kasel said. “The last two weeks, all five of the girls have really stepped it up. We put something new in on each event.”

Hastings has no seniors on the roster, leaving Kasel feeling optimistic about what next year holds.

“Each year we have moved up a little bit in the conference and the section,” Kasel said. “Hasting used to be on the bottom, and we’re slowly creeping up. I was really proud of the girls this year. They did very well.”

Becker’s score on beam wasn’t the only good one turned in by the Raiders. Taylor Engstrom placed 12th in the section on the beam with a score of 8.35. Alison Kromer, meanwhile, had an 8.050 and Jordyn Hollar had a 7.25.

Engstrom is a sophomore, Kromer is a junior and Hollar is a sophomore.

On vault, Hollar led the way with an 8.475. Kromer had an 8.35, Becker had an 8.225, Engstrom had an 8.05 and Allissa Smith, a freshman, had a 7.8.

On bars, Becker led the way with an 8.25. She placed 11th in the section.

Engstrom had an 8.025, Hollar had a 7.775 and Kromer had a 7.675.

On floor, Becker had the top Hastings score, posting an 8.8.

Kromer had an 8.5, Engstrom had an 8.35, Smith had an 8.25 and Hollar had a 7.7.

Becker led Hastings in the all-around scoring with a 34.375, which placed her 11th. Engstrom had a 32.775, Kromer had a 32.575, Hollar had a 31.2 and Smith had a 27.7.

Smith returned to gymnastics this year after being away for four to five years, Kasel said.

“I just give her so much credit,” Kasel said. “For her to walk back in the gym after being gone for four or five years, and just nail it, it just blows me away. She’s a strong, competitive kid.”

Tags: raider gymnastics, sports, hastings, minnesota, spiral, prep