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PREP GYMNASTICS: Depth shines through

Tigers rely on youthful roster to take out St. James

Photo by Sam Thiel Marshall’s Clara Bader performs her floor exercise routine during their meet against St. James Area on Friday. The Tigers defeated the Saints 111-101.

MARSHALL – Despite finding themselves shorthanded with their roster on Friday, the Marshall gymnastics team was able to rely on the next gymnast up and earn an 111-101 Big South Conference victory over St. James Area.

Marshall coach Larvita McFarquhar said she was proud of the way her team stepped up and performed well in the big moments throughout the meet.

“I was really proud of the girls because we had all of the girls step up; they’re working on new skills and they went out there and nailed their routines, so I was really proud what we did,” McFarquhar said.

With a trio of starters not competing, the Tigers were forced to turn to their younger gymnasts to fill in spots. McFarquhar said they try and get everybody prepared and ready to step in whenever needed and felt the younger gymnasts have done a good job so far of being at the ready for their team.

“That’s the nice part, trying to get all of the girls prepared and ready to step in at a moment’s notice when we don’t have a starter that’s there or if someone’s injured or out,” McFarquhar said. “The other girls are starting to step up and be a team player and go for things.”

Kaitlyn Matzner led the way for Marshall, scoring 8.350 on vault, 5.875 on the uneven bars, 7.775 on the balance beam and 7.800 on the floor exercise for an all-around score of 29.800 to place first overall.

Clara Bader scored a 7.850 on vault, 5.400 on bars, 7.275 on beam and 6.675 on floor for and all-around score of 27.200 and a third place finish overall. Jordyn Kack added a 6.125 on bars, 6.900 on beam and 6.225 on floor while Leah Matzner added 8.400 on vault and Reagan Brandt scored a 6.750 on floor to add to the Tigers’ effort.

McFarquhar said their key was a mix of everything, but felt their bars routine was more consistent.

“Our bars, they were working on different skills and being consistent and staying on the bars,” McFarquhar said. “And then our floor, they did really well as well as on beam.”

Marshall will compete next on Jan. 3 against Fairmont at 6 p.m. McFarquhar said their biggest takeaway is staying on the beam and continuing to work on their upgrades with their rotations.

“Staying on the beam and then just working on our upgrades so that we can get higher start values,” McFarquhar said. “That’s what we’re trying to do right now, working on upgrades and just sticking things and building more confidence in the girls.”

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