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Wagner-Bon Homme Lady Raider Gymnast competed in the State Meet February 10 and 11th.

Team Day:

This year this young team qualified for the state gymnastics meet as the underdog. After a prominent senior, Jenna Duffek got injured in a meet earlier in the season and Addison Cuka ended her season with an injury just before the Region meet, we were hopeful, but unsure if we could earn the score needed to go to state as a team. This group of young ladies decided injuries could not hold them back. Senior Karli Kotab, Juniors Mia Dion, Alexys Reub and Raelynn Kuhlman, Freshman Amelia Rathgeber, and eighth graders Jasmine Gilbert and Emersyn Tucker showed the judges they too belonged at the state meet to fight for their chance to stand on the podium.

Although team day did not land this amazing group of girls on the podium, Jasmine Gilbert, Emersyn Tucker, and Raelynn Kuhlman all earned their best score of the season on at least one event tonight! We all learned the value of TEAM this season. Understanding that no team can make it to state on the ability of one of its members, this group has learned that when they stay positive, trust in their teammates and coaches and support each other, the team can overcome setbacks.

Team standings:

1.Esteline-Hendricks 138.917 2. Chamberlain 137.117 3. Madison 136.817 4. Hot Springs 136.817 5. Duel 135.617 6. Britton-Hecla 132.25 7. Parkston/Ethan/Hanson/ Mount Vernon 131.217 8.Wagner Bon-Homme 125.267

Team day scores:

Alexys Reub: 9.133 on vault, 8.80 on floor, 8.30 on beam, and 7.417 on bars.

Emersyn Tucker: 8.165 on vault, 8.4 and a season high on floor, 7.083 on beam, and 5.20 a season high on bars.

Jasmine Gilbert: 8.967 on vault, 8.533 and a season high on floor, 8.883 and a season high on beam, and 7.767 on bars.

Karli Kotab: 7.75 a season high on vault.

Amelia Rathgeber: 6.35 on floor, and 5.033 on bars.

Individual Day: Today was a day for the gymnast to show herself off! With No worries about scoring for the team, today was all about the individual! She got to compete for herself. Unlike all season long, we practice getting better for the team. It has been so fun to watch these young ladies improve their skill, precision, and confidence! WAY TO GO GIRLS! You really have been a blessing to coach this season. The sky is the limit for you!

Vault Results:

Jasmine Gilbert scored an 8.633, Raelynn Kuhlman scored a 7.60 which was her season best, and Alexys Reub scored an 8.917 and placed 9th.

Floor Results:

Jazmine Gilbert scored an 8.483, Emersyn Tucker scored an 8.667 even beating her team day high she ended this event with her season best, and Alexys Reub scored a 9.433 and placed 6th.

Beam Results:

Jasmine Gilbert scored an 8.350, Mia Dion scored a 7.30, and Alexys Reub scored a 9.233 and is the 2023 BEAM STATE CHAMP.

Bars Results:

Jasmine Gilbert scored an 8.10 her season best and Alexys Reub scored an 8.5 her season best and placed 6th.

All-Around Scores: Alexys Reub scored a total of 33.333 to end her 2023 gymnastics season, while Alexys Reub scored a total of 36.167 and placed 4th.

This season, although we had a few struggles, we also had some defining learning moments. A team is only as strong as its ability to rise from a fall. This team surely did just that when Jenna Duffek got injured. These young girls learned how much of an impact they have on this team to make the entire team the force they have become. Thank you, girls, for all the perseverance you showed through this season.

This season we also learned that our assistant coach Stephanie Duffek is hanging up her hat as a coach. She finally gets the opportunity to JUST BE MOM. She will greatly be missed by us all.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU!!!!! On behalf of the entire gymnastics team, we would like to thank ALL THE TEAM SPONSORS for their sponsorship of this state meet! Thank you for the donations of food and of money! We have been humbled by the generosity of both Wagner and Bon Homme area community businesses and community members! We have been blessed by the best communities! Thank you, Kuhlman Construction, Genex-Ross Beeson, Juffer Inc, DK Flooring, Buches, H2 Honey, Hollmann Apiaries, Commercial State Bank, Lavender Lane, Curly’s Campground and Storage, Apparrell Works, Cimple Made Hunts, Booms, Bo-Ho, Sam and Brent Boehmer, Hometown Floral, Cap Gravel, Minder Trucking, Photography By Denell, Schonebaum Construction, First Chiropractic, Norm’s Bar, RushCo, Jacob’s Trucking, Frank’s Trading Post, First Dakota Bank, Grindhouse 46, Cahoy’s General Store, Iron Kingdom, JNS Trucking, Kotab Kreations, Kuhlman Cattle Company, Koch Insurance, Krcil Seed, Midtowne Oil, Morning Star Graphics, Pechous Publications, Leah Insko Photography, Petry Brothers Firewood Company, S&S Masonry, Security Bank Mid-West, Restored to New-Life, Knotheads Bar and Grill, Town and Country, Stems and Cells, Fort Randall Casino, Von Eschen Lawn and Landscaping, Wagner Building Supply, Wagner Superfoods, and Yankton Sioux Housing Authority.