Feb. 6—FARGO — The Bemidji Aerials Gold, Diamond and Platinum Excel Gymnasts brought the heat to Fargo at the Winter Challenge, held January 24-25.
In the all-around team competition, Excel Diamond captured first place with a score of 68.275. Excel Gold followed with a strong third-place finish at 109.075, while Excel Platinum earned fourth place overall with a score of 102.
Building on the team’s overall finishes, the Aerials also delivered standout individual performances across multiple events.
In the Diamond Excel Division, Lucy Karpinski led the way by capturing first place in the all-around with an impressive score of 35.375. She also earned second place on vault with an 8.525, claimed the uneven bars title with a 9.35 and added a second-place finish on balance beam with a score of 8.950. Alia Wellcome also turned in a strong performance, placing second on the uneven bars with a score of 8.525 and finishing 32.90 all-around.
Platinum athletes continued the momentum with strong individual showings. Jasmine Phonethep earned second place in the all-around with a score of 35.375, highlighted by a first-place finish on vault (9.375) and second on balance beam (8.9). Letty Josefson followed with a third-place finish on floor (8.975) and an all-around score of 33.975. Paisley Workman recorded a 32.175 all-around and took second on vault with an 8.75, while Marley Ophus placed second on uneven bars with an 8.475 and finished with an all-around score of 31.725.
Junior A Gold competitors also turned in solid performances. Brynlee Holmgren placed third on vault with an 8.775 and posted a 34.5 all-around score. Tori Durseky earned third on balance beam (8.9) and finished with an all-around score of 34.350. Halle Fultz recorded a 32.725 in the all-around, with Kylie Washburn finishing strong with a 34.450 all-around score.
In Junior B Competition, Ainsley Peterson earned third place in the all-around with a score of 35.775. Bre Mack added a third-place finish on floor with a 9.250 and finished with a 31.750 all-around total.
In the Junior C Competition, Morgan Jacobson delivered a strong all-around score of 32.675.
Senior A Gold gymnasts had fantastic results. Charlotte Bannor captured first place on balance beam with a 9.2 and finished second all-around with a 35.650. Bella Hagman followed with a second-place beam score of 9.0 and took third in the all-around with a 35.2. Elsa Newell also earned second on balance beam with a 9.0 and recorded a 34.850 all-around, while Brynn McFarren placed third on vault with an 8.8 and finished with an all-around score of 32.625. Scarlett Bodenheimer added a second-place finish on vault (9.375), second on floor (9.275) and an all-around score of 26.450. Natalya Posner secured an all-around score of 34.025.
In the Senior B Gold competition, Aria Rogers posted a 34.250 all-around while Breyleigh Lauderbaugh turned in a strong performance with an all-around score of 33.0.
Senior C Gold athletes also delivered solid performances, led by Pippa Carrigan with a 33.875 all-around score. Anna Eschbach placed third on uneven bars with a 9.025 and finished all-around with a 33.6, and Jayden Jaycox excelled with a 32.375 all-around.
