With a Big 9 conference win last week and being undefeated in conference meets. Owatonna Girls Gymnastics looks forward to a section meet where they will battle other teams such as Lakeville South, Farmington, Lakeville North, Northfield, Mayo, Century, and John Marshall.
Lakeville South, who has been ranked the number one team in the state all year in front of Owatonna who is ranked number two, will be a tough challenge for the team. Head coach Evan Moe said, “I’m confident that our team will go out at a high level. Lakeville South won’t make it easy. But if we throw a meet that’s completely put together, I’m confident we’ll come out as champions.”
The Huskies who are defending section champions will look to retain their title and even send some individuals to state. Coach Moe said, “Individually I’d love to send five athletes to state but we’re all focused on the collective effort of the team.”
To prepare this week for sections coach Moe and his team have lightened up practices and went more from conditioning to active recovery and are cleaning up details such as flips and jumps. Coach Moe said, “I enjoy the challenge of figuring out how to score the highest possible on each event and the thrill of winning big meets.” He hopes he and his team can add yet another big win to their resume and compete for the state title in the upcoming weeks.
With hopes of going back to back, the girls have many returning gymnasts to the team. One returning member is junior Jozie Johnson who in last year’s section meet led the team on vault and helped advance them onto state. Johnson said, “My goal for going into sections as a team is to have confidence going into the meet and do the best we can.” It will take everyone to make a run and win the whole thing.
Senior captain Emma Johnson is also a returning member from last year’s team who made it individually for her floor routine and hopes the team can make it back to state. Johnson said, “Competing for a section title any year is nerve-racking, this year being a senior has added to those nerves more than usual considering it could be my last meet with this team. However, we have a great team this year and have full faith in our team and we will defend our section.”
The girls’ team has a lot of hope and determination to finish this year off on a good note and go back to state. As they are ranked the number two team in the state, the expectations are high as they look to make a run.
Girls Gymnastics Sections is Saturday, Feb. 17th at Rochester John Marshall at 11 a.m. Top 3 for each event will qualify for state and the top team overall will qualify for team state.
