Card gymnasts: Alexandria adds another win by topping Little Falls

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The Cardinal gymnastics team continued its climb toward the top of the Central Lakes Conference standings Tuesday night, outscoring Little Falls 135.95-129.175 and improving its CLC record to 4-2.

Helping the Redbirds in their climb is 8th grader Tahlia Bowden, junior Briquelle Bowden, senior Sarah Dolan and freshman Hannah Wendel, who topped Alexandria’s scoring in all four individual events as well as the All-around.

The team also took advantage of its depth as they earned points from sophomore Rachel Sjostrand on the vault, bars and floor.

Alexandria opened with a few falls on the bars, but still placed four girls in the top six, with B. Bowden grabbing the top spot overall.

“The Cardinals gained some good momentum heading to the vault,” said head coach Becca Cederberg. “The Cardinals received three nines on vault, and also captured places 2-5.”

Alexandria’s T. Bowden and Wendell tied for second in that event, then competed on the floor, with T. Bowden finishing second.

“There’s still room for improvement,” said Cederberg of her team’s floor performances, “which is exciting because our team goal is to peak at sections.”

The final event saw the Redbirds on the beam, where clean, solid routines gave the squad first, third, fourth, seventh and 10th, with T. Bowden once again leading the way.

Alexandria had four of the top-five all-around spots, with B. Bowden finishing second, T. Bowden third, Wendel fourth and Dolan fifth.

“Another great win for the Cardinal gymnastics team,” said Cederberg.

Taking top honors in the all-around was Rachelle LeBlanc of Little Falls with a 36.1.

Alexandria will be at St. Cloud Apollo on Tuesday.

ALEXANDRIA 135.95, LITTLE FALLS 129.175

BARS – 1. Briquelle Boweden, Alex, 8.7, 2. Rachelle LeBlanc, LF, 8.65, 3. Hannah Wendel, Alex, 8.1, 4. Tahlia Bowden, Alex, 7.875, 6. Sarah Dolan, Alex, 7.05, 8. Rachel Sjostrand, Alex.

BEAM – 1. Tahlia Bowden, Alex, 9.05, 3. Briquelle Bowden, Alex, 8.8, 4. Hannah Wendel, Alex, 8.6, 7. Sarah Dolan, Alex, 7.9.

FLOOR – 1. Rachelle LeBlanc, LF, 9.3, 2. Tahlia Bowden, Alex, 8.95, 3. Briquelle Bowden, Alex, 8.85, 4. Hannah Wendel, Alex, 8.7, 5. Sarah Dolan, Alex, 7.725, 8. Rachel Sjostrand, Alex, 7.55.

VAULT – 1. Rachelle LeBlanc, LF, 9.15, 2. (tie) Tahlia Bowden, Alex, and Hannah Wendel, Alex, 9.05, 4. Briquelle Bowden, Alex, 9.0, 5. Sarah Dolan, Alex, 8.55, 8. Rachel Sjostrand, Alex, 8.35.

ALL-AROUND – 1. Rachelle LeBlanc, LF, 36.1, 2. Briquelle Bowden, Alex, 35.35, 3. Tahlia Bowden, Alex, 34.925, 4. Hannah Wendel, Alex, 34.45, 5. Sarah Dolan, Alex, 31.225.

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, gymnasts