Owatonna showcases new gym, beats Austin in debut
Owatonna gymnast Delia Neumann smiles mid-slip during her bar routine dismount at Owatonna’s showcase last week. Neumann and the Huskies hosted an open-practice showcase last week that included raffle drawings and athlete interviews. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
Owatonna gymnastics kicked off its season in a big way last week by hosting a showcase at the new Owatonna Gymnastics Center before traveling to Austin later in the week and beating the Packers 143.250-133.250.
The Huskies return some serious star power in 2024-25 and it was on full display all week.
“First of all, we had a huge turnout. I didn’t expect this many community members to come out so it was amazing. We had a heck of a lot of people in here for the showcase… Our girls’ confidence is only going to keep growing. They’re going to get better and better, and we’re going to peak at the right time. I’m very confident in our ability to be Big Nine champions, section champs and if we make it to state, we only have to beat seven teams,” said Owatonna Head Coach Evan Moe.
Owatonna’s week was punctuated by a 10-point win over Austin in the team’s first meet of the season.
Huskies’ all-around athlete and senior captain Halle Theis was the day’s top-scorer in the all-around with 36.325 points – good for first place by a full 1.075 points.
On the vault, Owatonna threw up 36.5 points, led by Theis’s 9.375-point routine.
The bars came next, where Owatonna’s Delia Neumann continues to shine as the team’s top athlete in the category, leading the Huskies with a 9.175-point routine and helping the squad score 33.925 points.
Owatonna’s most dominant event of the day was the beam, where the Huskies swept all four top spots with a total of 36.575.
Senior captain Averie Roush led the Huskies with a 9.275 and was closely followed by teammate Chloe Myer’s 9.200.
The two teams rounded the meet out on the floor where Owatonna once again swept the top four scores with Kendra Miller, Johanna Spielman, Theis and Ava Maves leading the way for 36.25 points..
Miller was able to capture the top score with a 9.200 while Spielman notched a 9.100, Theis collected a 9.050 and Maves made her season debut with a 8.900.
Earlier in the week, Owatonna hosted a debut showcase at the brand-new Owatonna Gymnastics Center located in the former gym at the old Owatonna High School grounds.
The Huskies ran through a live practice and threw in fun activities including raffle drawings, athlete interview and some silly organic moments along the way.
Owatonna will once again be fighting to show its one of the top programs in the state, so be sure to follow along with the Huskies this season.