Submitted Photo The Minot High girls gymnastics team participated in two events over the weekend. Friday at the Jamestown meet and Saturday at the Ladies of the 80’s meet in Ray. Top Row left to right: Cadence Bagi, Bailey McLeod, Pavyn Peterson, Laikyn Halverson, Amaya White, Keira Davis. Front Row left to right: Lexi McLeod, Gracyn Bergan, Macey Blake, Adylin Belnap.

RAY – The Minot High girls gymnastics team made the trip to Jamestown and Ray over the weekend in a two meet week as they prepare for the Western Dakota Association (WDA) meet and the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) state meet.

At the Jamestown meet, Julia Skari was first in the All Around with a 36.050 score for the host team while Sutton Van Gilder was second for the Blue Jays at 35.650 and Adylin Belnap from Minot High was third at 35.300 on Friday, January 3.

The order was the same for the top two at the Ladies of the 80’s event in Ray on Saturday, January 4, with Skari at 36.300 and Van Gilder at 35.050 for Jamestown. This time Pavyn Peterson was third with a 34.900 score and Belnap was fourth at 34.850 for the Majettes.

“It was our second meet of the weekend so things were a little stiff. It took a bit to get rolling today,” said head coach Robbie Werchau. “Laikyn Halverson had her second good meet of the weekend finishing 8th in all around. She has been very consistent this past week. Pavyn Peterson and Adylin Belnap continue to be our top two all around placers finishing 3rd and 4th today.”

There were six schools at the Jamestown meet with the hosts taking first place, Minot High in second place and Bismarck Century in third place. The top three teams at the Ladies of the 80’s meet in Ray were Jamestown in first again, Minot High in second and NW Stars took third place.

“Gracyn Bergan stumbled on the floor in warm up and had to have her ankle taped but came through on vault with a 3rd place and 5th in all around,” said Werchau. “Lexi McCloud placed 6th in all around after she hurt her ankle in warm up as well. Keira Davis added the balance beam today so I’m hoping she’ll start working her way back to competing in all 4 events before the end of January.”

The Majettes will host the Minot Invite in the final contest prior to the end of the season on February 7 with other smaller meets leading up to the home meet.

“This month is busy with meets. It’ll be tough but by February they should feel strong and ready for WDA and State,” said Werchau. “I feel like the hard work these girls put in is starting to pay off. I’m proud of how the girls competed. They didn’t give up even when our warm ups didn’t go so well. They came back and competed to win.”

The Jamestown meet was the first event after the holiday break for the Majettes. Davis was able to compete for the first time this season.

The 2025 NDHSAA State Gymnastics Meet will be held February 28-March 1, 2025 at Jamestown High School.

Team competition will be held Friday, February 28 and the individual competition will be held Saturday, March 1.