State gymnasts Anderson and Parker Stallman are joined by their coaches. Left to right are coach Merissa Lore, coach Bethany Hander, Anderson, Stallman, coach Rachel Cole, coach Alyssa Tvedten.

Blue Earth Area/United South Central gymnasts Mariah Anderson and Parker Stallman capped an excellent gymnastics season by competing in the Minnesota State Gymnastics Tournament on Feb. 21.

Anderson qualified for State in all-around while Stallman had qualified in the uneven bars.

Anderson, a senior, closed out her high school career by finishing third in all-around with a combined score of 37.925.

She finished second in State on the balance beam with a score of 9.675. Her performance on floor netted her a third-place finish with a score of 9.7. Anderson also finished third on vault where she tallied a score of 9.725. A fall while performing on the uneven bars had a negative impact on her score. Despite this setback, she still scored an 8.825 to finish in 11th place.

“Mariah said she had a lot of fun at the State Tournament and that it was a great experience for her,” BEA/USC head coach Rachel Cole remarked.

Anderson was also recognized as an All-State Elite all-around gymnast, meaning that she was one of the top five all-arounders in the state for both Class A and Class AA gymnasts. She also received All-State honor for all four events, as well as the all-around.

It was also the first time competing at State for Stallman, who is an eighth grader. She scored an 8.150 at State on the uneven bars which put her in 29th place.

Maggie Schander of Detroit Lakes finished first in the Class A all-around with a score of 38.825 and Maria Hagen of Mankato West was second with 38.650.

The Class A Team Tournament was won by Detroit Lakes.