Addison Armstrong is shown during her vault performance at a meet in Fairmont earlier this season.

Blue Earth Area junior Addison Armstrong wrapped up her gymnastics season with a well-earned trip to the 2023 Class A Individual State Meet on Saturday, Feb. 25.

It was Armstrong’s 9.0-scoring leap at BEA’s Section Meet which qualified her for the Individual State Meet’s vault competition.

Though Armstrong did not place, her routine garnered an impressive 9.05, which earned 36th place overall at the event.

Watertown Mayer-Mound/Westonka’s Reagan Kelley took home the gold, placing first with her 9.850-scoring leap.

Both Armstrong and her coach, Rachel Cole, were pleased with the outcome of her trip to Saint Paul on Feb. 25.

“Her goal was to get a 9.0, so she was happy with her first State meet,” Cole says. “My only goal for her was to land her vault at State, and she did that with no problem.”

Armstrong has proved herself a capable and well-rounded gymnast this season, frequently nabbing first and second place finishes in the all-around and securing a sixth place finish in the Section Meet’s all-around lineup.

“Addison had a strong season,” Cole reflects. “She had her mind set on a few new skills, one of those being her Tsuk vault.” 

Though it was Armstrong’s vault which qualified for State, Cole notes she put in strong performances on other events, too.

“(Armstrong) was most consistent on floor this season, scoring in the high 8s and low 9s,” Cole says. “She was able to add in her giants on bars the last three meets, and scored in the low 8s at Sections.” 

Cole says that Armstrong’s biggest battle this season was on beam, where she attempted a difficult acrobatic series.

“But, she’s already got her mind set on a new, more difficult series,” Cole adds. 

The coach explains Armstrong’s success is in part due to an impressive work ethic.

“Addison works hard all year round,” Cole observes. “She set her goals for next season even before this season was over. She’s always in the gym working to get stronger, and she’s always encouraging her teammates to do the same.” 

Armstrong commemorates her successful gymnastics season with an invitation to the Big South Conference Gymnastics All-Conference Team roster, which was announced at the end of February.