Huskies beat Packers in season debut

The defending state champion Owatonna gymnastics team started its 2025-26 season with a win by beating Austin 140.3-127.2 in the team’s home opener.

Despite facing multiple injuries during the meet, Owatonna rallied with a strong team performance to beat the Packers.

“Obviously we had some rough moments here, but the biggest thing that I’m proud of are our junior varsity athletes who stepped in and stepped up. I’m proud of them for keeping their head on straight and filling in where I needed them. I’m hoping that the injuries we did have are minimal and they can return soon,” said Owatonna Head Coach Kiana Starks.

Owatonna’s day started on the vault where it posted 35.950 points.

The Huskies were consistent across the board, but it was the duo of Johanna Spielman and Dylann Norrid that boosted the team with routines of 9.275 and 9.100 points.

Spielman was the team’s top performer in the event, but faced a scary injury after her knee buckled while attempting to land her second attempt.

The injury knocked Spielman out of competition for the remainder of the meet – a precaution taken by Starks – ending her day in an unfortunate way after an impressive start.

Disaster began to strike when Owatonna moved onto the bars next.

Athletes Josiana Spielman and Norrid both found themselves taken out of competition before and during the event due to injuries.

Norrid suffered a fractured thumb during her routine while Spielman had the scariest moment of the meet when she lost her grip on the high bar during her dismount in warmups and landed head-first on the mat.

All three athletes were taken to the hospital to evaluate their injuries following the meet.

After losing one athlete immediately prior to the bars, Starks had no choice but to shake up her lineup.

Leading the way for the Huskies was Delia Neumann with a stellar 9.250-point routine.

The 2024-25 state individual beam champion was excellent and led all gymnasts by .625 points.

Following Neumann’s top score was teammate Ellie Blum, who is making her varsity debut as a freshman this season and is already turning heads.

According to Starks, Blum has impressed enough to be considered for an all-around role alongside Neumann this season.

The freshman impressed in her first event by throwing an 8.625 on the bars and helping Owatonna to a 33.625-point event score.

Next up for the Huskies was the beam where the team scored four of the top five scores in the event.

Owatonna’s Chloe Myer and Neumann were on fire to both post 9.200-point scores and lead the Huskies to a 35.100 in the event.

The team closed out the day with the floor where it once again excelled with four of the top five scores.

Kendra Miller was the Huskies’ top athlete with 9.025 to take second place behind Austin’s Callie McRae (9.375.)

Neumann scored an even nine while Alivia Sturges totaled 8.975 and Myer earned an 8.725 to secure the win with 35.725 points in the event.

Owatonna’s season debut made a statement that this year’s team is full of grit and can perform under pressure in the face of adversity.

The Huskies’ next action will be another home meet against Faribault on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.