Minnetonka Gymnasts Head Into Tough Final Stretch After Big Win

Minnetonka High School's gymnastics team took first place at the Buffalo Invite on Saturday, Jan. 19 with a season high score of 137.3, taking the top spot against 7 other teams. The second place team, Prior Lake, earned 135.4 points.

The Skippers have been having a successful season, currently fighting injuries and illness, but are expected to be back to full strength soon as the athletes head into the final stretch of the season, just a total of 4 meets left for JV and Varsity. Those 4 meets include the tight section finals, where Minnetonka will look to defend their 2012 championship and head to state for the 2nd year in a row. Last year's qualification was the first time in 35 for Minnetonka gymnastics.

At the close of the 2012 season, the Skippers graduated 12 seniors and acquired a new head coach, Samantha Howard (she was co-head in the 2012 season with Janelle Borgen). Despite such a transition year and having such a young squad, the team proves to be a top contestant for qualifying to state as a team. Juniors Morgan Engel and Mikayla Wandersee were two of the varsity's core scorers last season, and they return this year as two of the three captains (third being junior Monica Hanson), showing their maturity and experience. New comers Destiny Cobbs and Hannah Gosen have also proved to be valuable to the team, with Cobbs consistently putting up all around scores in the 36s (season high of 36.775).

Have sports news for Patch? Please email articles, results and photos to becky.glander@patch.com