Sophomore Ashley Lentz vaulted her way to state with a score 9.250 in the event to lead Park as the Wolfpack gymnasts competed in the Section 3AA Championships held Friday evening at Park.

It’s the second straight trip to state for Lentz in the vault.

Emily Dahlstrom edged Park teammate Leah Smith in the all-around, 33.950 points to 33.525, finishing sixth and eighth, respectively. They were the only two Park gymnasts to compete in all four events.

“We had a great day as a team, beating our previous high score by almost four points.” said Park head coach Ali Flaata. “Our floor and vault total was the best it has been all year. Emily Dahlstrom placed sixth in the allaround, Leah Smith placed eighth in the allaround and sixth place on bars.”

Dahlstrom had an 8.625 on the vault, an 8.050 on the bars, an 8.5 on the beam and an 8.775 on the floor. Smith scored an 8.750 on the vault, an 8.775 on the bars, a 7.550 on the beam and an 8.450 on the floor.

But it was Lentz snagged the top score of the night for the Wolfpack with her mark in the vault. She finished second overall in the vault to East Ridge’s Ava Biegert, who scored a 9.375.

Eagan won the eight team race with a score of 146.075, edging East Ridge which scored a 145.100. The Wildcats advance to the state team meet with the section title.

Apple Valley/Eastview was third with a 133.650, edging Park which finished fourth in the team race with a 133.475 score. Henry Sibley was fifth, 132.000, Woodbury sixth, 127.250, Richfield seventh, 121.300 and Cretin-Derham Hall eighth, 107.350.

It was a successful team meet for the Wolfpack who came in with a season average score of 128.8125.

Hannah Maccarone of Eagan won the allaround title with a score of 37.450.

As expected, Park’s best event was the vault, where the Wolfpack finished third overall with a score of 35.175. Park was fourth on the bars (32.175), fifth on the beam (31.800) and fourth on the floor (34.775).

Park all-around results – Emily Dahlstrom, 33.950; Leah Smith, 33.525; Emma Thompson, 23.900; Ashley Lentz, 16.825; Kennedy Blaschko, 16.7; Bre Melligen, 8.550; Ashlyn Gillen, 15.550; Ava Klecatsky, 8,350.

Floor – Blaschko, 8.8; Dahlstrom, 8.775; Smith, 8.450, Thompson, 8.350, Gillen, 7.975.

Vault – Lentz, 9.250; Smith, 8.750; Dahlstrom, 8.625; Mellingen, 8.550; Klecatsky, 8.350.

Bars – Smith, 8.775; Dahlstrom, 8.050; Thompson, 7.725; Lentz, 7.575; Melligen, 7.250.

Beam – Dahlstrom, 8.5; Blaschko, 7.9; Thompson, 7.8; Gilllen, 7.575; Smith, 7.550.

Park’s Emily Dahlstrom flashes a smile after her floor exercise routine in the section meet Friday. Photo by John Molene