GMC’s Miller earns fourth straight trip to state gymnastics meet
GMC senior Abby Miller performed her floor routine at last Saturday's sectional gymnastics meet at West Salem High School. Miller will compete in three events at the WIAA Division Two individual state gymnastics tournament this weekend, her fourth straight qualification. (Times photograph by Benjamin Pierce)
GMC freshman Tori Thoma vaulted during Saturday’s WIAA Division Two gymnastics sectional at West Salem High School. (Times photograph by Benjamin Pierce)
Abby Miller dismounted from the balance beam and flashed a smile toward the judges’ table in a closing round at Saturday’s Division Two sectional gymnastics meet at West Salem High School.
The senior took a step toward her coaches and teammates, and that’s when emotion took over for the entire Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau/Melrose-Mindoro/Cochrane-Fountain City gymnastics team.
Miller wiped a tear from her face, and her coaches shed tears, too, as they embraced each other on a day that ended with a fourth-straight individual WIAA state tournament qualification for Miller.
The strong finish on beam came one round after Miller had fallen off the uneven bars for the first time all season.
“That was kind of a shock to all of us, but she is somebody who has such a positive mindset. She’s able to shake it off so well and move on to the next event and just kind of compose and control herself, get it out of her head and do what she needs to do on the beam,” GMC coach Emily Palmen said.
The GMC co-op finished third as a team with 134.325 points, while West Salem (139.75) and River Falls (139) claimed the two team berths to the state gymnastics meet.
Miller was the lone county gymnast to advance to state and will compete in the all-around competition, balance beam and floor. Miller will also compete on vault and uneven bars as part of her all-around score at the state meet but will not be eligible to medal in the events.
The state championships are set for this Saturday at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School.
“I would love to see her place on floor. I think she can, especially with her 9.75 that she got earlier this year,” Palmen said of their expectations for state.
“If she gets that again she’s definitely a contender for floor for a metal, and I think if we can get one of her best all-around scores again at state she has a chance to medal there as well.”
Miller’s all-around score of 35.325 was good enough for fourth on Saturday in an event in which the top five scores advanced to state. West Salem’s Taliya Michlig had the top score with a 36.425.
Miller tied for third on beam with River Falls’ Ella Pierce.
Like much of her season, Miller’s best showing on Saturday was her floor routine, where her 9.525 was tied with Michlig for the best score all day.
Miller’s continued success is a result of consistency and solid technique, Palmen said, and her energy helps.
“She really plays into her routine and just lets the judges see how much fun she’s having. And we see that in the judges’ reactions too. She just shows that she’s enjoying what she’s doing and she’s having a good time and really gets into her routine.”
Trista Thill narrowly missed advancing to state in numerous events for GMC—the senior finished eighth on beam (8.725) and vault (8.675) and ninth on floor (9.2). She was 19th on bars (7.85) to finish eighth in the all-around scores with a 34.45.
The co-op will bring back a trio of freshmen (Tori Thoma, 30.75 all-around; Amanda Pierson; Abbi Bronsteatter) that competed on Saturday to next year’s squad.
Before then, the co-op will enjoy cheering on Miller at state for the fourth—and final—time.
“Just watching her stick her last sectional routine, it was really emotional after watching her grow over the last four years to become the gymnast she is. I’m just so proud of her. Watching her stick that last routine, it was like ‘Wow, we’re really going to miss her.’
“She’s just an incredible gymnast and a wonderful person as well.”
Raiders end season at sectional
The Arcadia/Independence gymnastics co-op saw its season come to an end at the West Salem sectional, finishing ninth.
Sophomore Hannah Gierok led the Raiders with her 21st-place finish in the all-around scores, just ahead of senior teammate Nora Bergerson in 22nd with a 31.325.
Senior Zoey George finished her prep career at the sectional as well, scoring a 2.25 on bars.
Gierok’s best event came on beam, where her 8.55 was good for 11th. Rylee Sabelko of River Falls led all gymnasts with her 9.325 in the event.
Gierok added an 8.05 (t-12th) on bars to a 7.725 on vault (32nd) and a 7.6 (35th) on floor.
Bergerson carded scores of 7.65 on beam (26th), 8.625 on floor (22nd), 7.05 on bars (t-28th) and 8.0 on vault (23rd).
