Photo by Sam Thiel Marshall’s Clara Bader performs her floor routine during their meet on Saturday.

MARSHALL – The Marshall gymnastics team came into their home invitational on Saturday looking to improve on their score. The Tigers did just that, posting one of their best marks of the season at 125.525, walking away with a seventh place finish.

Seven other teams from across the state came in to compete, including Willmar, Worthington, New Ulm, Benson/Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Redwood Valley, Windom/Mountain Lake and Pipestone. Willmar placed first with a score of 145.825, followed by Worthington (142.875) and New Ulm (134.475).

Marshall coach Larvita McFarquhar said it was fun to see their team step up to the challenge and compete with some of tougher teams in the state.

“It was great watching the other girls from all over the state come in, and watching our girls step up and do what they’re supposed to do when they need to do it was very important,” she said.

Saphi McFarquhar led the way for the Tigers with a third place finish on the balance beam (9.175) and sixth place on the floor exercise (9.200) to place third in the all-around (35.425). Taliya McFarquhar scored 31.325 in the all-around, including an 8.675 on the vault, while Kaitlyn Matzner scored 29.350 and Mikayla Chesley scored 28.500 in the all-around to add to the Marshall effort.

Coach McFarquhar said they performed well on the vault and floor and was also proud of their ability to bounce back on the beam.

“Our vault; I was very proud of them on vault as well as floor,” she said. “Bars were a little shaky, but they came back on beam and did what they were supposed to do.”

Marshall will return to action today with another home meet, facing Jackson County Central at 6 p.m. Coach McFarquhar said their biggest takeaway will be working on their bars routine as well as continuing to work on their form.

“Just working on bars and getting some of the kinks out that they’re scared of. But they’re working on it, and I’m proud of that,” she said. “Getting their arms in the right form; the big thing this year is form. We also need to connect some things on bars, but also just going out there and having fun.”