Card gymnastics: Bowden is all-around champ in win over Willmar

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The Cardinals swept the top three spots on the bars, beam and in the all-around as Alexandria brought home a 139.95-135.85 win over Willmar Thursday night.

“What another standout night for the Cardinal gymnastics team,” said head coach Becca Cederberg. “The night started off with the Alex Cardinals on the bars, where they swung to a first, second and third place win. This really got the momentum going as Alex headed to vault.”

Briquelle Bowden was first on the bars with an 8.95, followed closely by Tahlia Bowden and Hannah Wendel.

“The girls vaulted very strong, and Tahlia Bowden (8th grade) won with a 9.3,” said the coach. “The next event was the floor, where the whole team is so enjoyable to watch.

“All of our tumbling passes are getting stronger, and we are working on new dance and jump combos that are of higher value.”

The Redbirds were led by T. Bowden again on the floor as she posted a 9.25 for first, followed by Hannah Wendel in fifth place. Wendel was also fourth on the vault.

“Beam was the last event for Alex and wow, did we shine,” said Cederberg. “Katlin Rice started the team off with the first stick, followed by Sarah Dolan, Briquelle Bowden, Hannah Wendel and Tahlia Bowden.

“To have the entire varsity team stick beam was an awesome accomplishment.”

T. Bowden again claimed top honors, followed by B. Bowden and Wendel in second and third, leading to T. Bowden’s all-around championship. B. Bowden was runner-up and Wendel was third.

Alexandria will host Sauk Rapids-Rice tomorrow, Thursday and will be at St. Cloud Apollo on Tuesday.

ALEXANDRIA 139.95, WILLMAR 135.85

BARS – Briquelle Bowden 8.95, 2. Tahlia Bowden 8.425, 3. Hannah Wendel 8.35, 9. Sarah Dolan 7.575, 10. Rachel Sjostrand 7.025.

VAULT – 1. Tahlia Bowden 9.3, 4. Hannah Wendel 9.0, 5. Briquelle Bowden 8.95, 8. Sarah Dolan 8.5, 10. Anna Spanbauer.

FLOOR – 1. Tahlia Bowden 9.25, 5. Hannah Wendel 9.1, 7. Briquelle Bowden 8.85, 8. Sarah Dolan 8.75, 10. Rachel Sjostrand 8.2.

BEAM – 1. Tahlia Bowden 8.925, 2. Hannah Wendel 8.775, 3. Briquelle Bowden 8.75, 4. Sarah Dolan 8.5, 10. Katlin Rice 6.825.

ALL-AROUND – 1. Tahlia Bowden 35.9, 2. Briquelle Bowden 35.5, 3. Hannah Wendel 35.225, 7. Sarah Dolan 33.325.

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, gymnastics