Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor

Maybe at the next gymnastics meet freshman Taylor Brett will also play her own music during her floor exercise routine. On Thursday, Dec. 7, Brett was the only Ranger competing in the all-around when Forest Lake hosted Stillwater. On top of that responsibility, she was racing back and forth to her junior high band concert during the Ponies 144.75 ñ 142.30 victory. But as her gymnastics coach Nancy Ellias said, ì...she handled the pressure and chaos extremely well.î So well, in fact, Brett took first in the all-around with a quality early-season score of 36.70.

Consistency was the winning hand for Brett, compiling second place finishes in the uneven parallel bars, the balance beam and the floor exercise as well as a third place in the vault.

Beyond Brett, the other members of Ranger team turned in marks that left Ellias pleased with such a high score at this point of the season, despite the loss.

ìWe still can make adjustments and improvements in our routines,î she shared. ìI see this team having a tremendous amount of potential and skill.î

Ellias said her squad had an inconsistent week of practice, but she knew help was on the way. After missing the Lakeville North meet with various ailments, senior Nicole Paulson and junior Chelsea Uram returned to the squad. Paulson battled through in three events and contributed with a third place in the bars and a second place in the vault.

ìIt was a Yurchenko-pike and it was beautiful,î Ellias said of Paulsonís vault. ìShe is still working higher level skills into her routines.î

Junior Maddie Crew was another major contributor with matching third place finishes in both the balance beam and the floor exercise.

JUNIOR VARSITY

By the score of 129.75 ñ 125.8, the junior varsity was also defeated. Sophomore Scotti Sampair came in first in the bars and second in the floor, while Courtney Klein took second in the bars and Adriane Kraus was third in the floor exercise.

ìThey just need to work together and keep working hard on executing well and adding new skills,î Ellias said about her team. ìI am very excited!î

Forest Lakeís meet against defending state champion Roseville was changed back to its original date of Thursday, Dec. 14, at Roseville.

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