By Ken McKenzie

The SPASH girls’ gymnastics used strong team scoring to defeat Wisconsin Rapids in Great Northern Conference action Tuesday night, winning the dual event 135.6250 to 115.0750.

Senior Panthers Lindsey Herzog, Rachel McGraheam and Michaella Olszewski were honored for their contributions to the sport at the event.

The Panthers used margins in all four events but utilized seven point plus margins in both Floor exercise and uneven bars to establish a sizable edge in judging totals to earn the win.

It was the depth of placement scoring that made the difference as they overcame a strong winning individual performance by Wisconsin Rapids’ Tia Dorshorst who edged SPASH’s Kali Schierl, 36.075 to 35.525.

Dorshorst was top point earner in Balance Beam (9.150) and Floor Exercise (9.325) and second in Vaulting and Uneven Bars on the night while Schierl won the Uneven Bars (8.925) and Vaulting (9.300) and finished third in both Balance Beam and Floor Exercise. SPASH freshman Olivia Clemens earned the third individual slot with a total of 33.850 as she turned in a second, two thirds and a fifth placement to earn the third spot.

SPASH’s Michaella Olszewski and Lacie Ligman tied at the fourth spot on the night to anchor the SPASH team effort in the all-around judging. The Panthers used first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth placings in both Uneven Bars and Vaulting and second, third, fourth and fifth in Balance Beam and second thru sixth placements to earn the winning totals.

The girls will now practice up for the trip to the Great Northern Conference meet at Lakeland High School on Saturday, Feb. 21 with WIAA sectional tournament action to follow a week later for Coaches Jenny Bellmer Callope and Melissa Neigbauer.