Pint, Shimota qualify for state gymnastics meet

Two New Prague High School gymnasts will compete Saturday, Feb. 24, in the State Class AA gymnastics meet at the Maturi Sports Pavilion at the University of Minnesota. Caitlyn Pint, left, and Tina Shimota placed fifth and third respectively in the vault at the Section 2AA meet at Lakeville South High School to earn a berth at the state meet. As a team, the Trojans placed fourth with a score of 140.95. Lakeville North, the defending state champions, placed first with a score of 150.05. Read more on Page 9. (Chuck Kajer Photo)

Tina Shimota and Caitlyn Pint will represent New Prague High School at the State Class AA Gymnastics meet Saturday, Feb. 24, at the University of Minnesota’s Maturi Sports Pavilion. The meet begins at 6 p.m. The two Trojan athletes qualified by placing fifth and third, respectively, in vault at the Section 2AA meet Friday, Feb. 16, at Lakeville South High School.

As a team, the Trojans finished fourth overall, with a score of 140.95. Coach Doug Amundsen was pleased overall with the performance of his team. “We had a pretty good meet, just missed a few routines and we could have been third. “We try to count the routines that hit (no falls) and try to be around 17-18 out of 20. At sections we were at 15.” Led by Shimota and Pint, the Trojans had their highest score of the year on vault at 36.625. They also hit a season- high on beam, with a score of 35.6. “We were a little short on bars and had a few issues on floor,” Amundsen said. He said the season has been a good one overall.

“This team truly knew the meaning of team…. They were supportive of each other all through the year, but these last few meets you could really see it. I feel it had a great positive effect on everyone.” Besides Pint and Shimota, two other Trojans just missed on qualifying. Grace Montgomery tied for sixth on vault, one spot short of qualifying, and Allie Eischens was sixth on beam, just 0.75 points behind the final qualifier. The method for qualifying changed this year from past years, when the top four in each event qualified for state. This year, the top three allaround competitors automatically qualify for state in each event, and the top three remaining competitors in each event also qualified. With two of the all-around qualifiers finishing ahead of her on the vault, Pint’s fifth place finish gave her a state berth.

Lakeville North, the state’s top-ranked team, won the meet with 150.05 points. Lakeville South was second at 147.175 and Prior Lake was third at 142.25. The rest of the field included New Prague (140.95), Chanhassen (135.9), Chaska (135.1), Bloomington Jefferson (128.65) and Bloomington Kennedy (28.15).

Trojan scores Vault - Tina Shimota 3rd, 9.4; Caitlyn Pint 5th, 9.275; Grace Montgomery Tie-6th, 9.175; Sophie Guerrette, 8.775; Allie Eischens 8.65. Bars - Mahri Halbmaier 8.5; Eischens 8.45; MJ Dalsin 8.4; Emmalyn Dickerson 8.275; Kaylynn Solheid 7.85. Beam - Eischens - 6th, 9.3; Dickerson 9th, 9.15; Lauren Kitner 8.625; Belle Clancy 8.525; Solheid 8.0. Floor - Eischens 9.05; Clancy 8.95; Shimota 8.85; Solheid 8.25; Dickerson 8.125.

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