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SPLS Gymnastics Clinches Narrow Victory in First Home Meet Since Renovation

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 10:34 GMT by Southern Minn

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St. Peter Le Sueur Henderson Gymnastics Compete in First Home Meet Against Bea

The St. Peter Le Sueur Henderson (SPLS) gymnastics squad opened its 2024‑2025 season with a milestone event: the team’s first home meet since the school’s re‑building project finished last spring. The competition, held Friday evening at the SPLS Gymnasium, saw the Panthers face off against a formidable opponent from the Beaverton‑Eaton Academy (BEA), a team that has dominated the county circuit for the past three years. The meet was a showcase of skill, community pride, and the dedication of a program that has grown from a modest club into a full‑sized high‑school program over the last decade.

A Home‑Court Advantage

The SPLS Gymnasium, newly renovated with a state‑of‑the‑art lighting system, a retractable scoreboard, and upgraded training equipment, has been a centerpiece of the school’s new athletic wing. The school’s athletic director, Coach Mike Jensen, emphasized that the home venue will “give the Panthers a real edge” in terms of familiar surroundings and enthusiastic student support. The gym filled to capacity, with parents, classmates, and local residents cheering on the athletes—an atmosphere that Coach Jensen said “felt exactly like a championship atmosphere, even though this is just the first meet of the season.”

The article linked to the SPLS athletic website (https://www.southernminn.com/st_peter_herald/athletics/spls-athletics) provides a roster of the 2024‑25 senior athletes, including senior flyer Emma Clark (who finished 4th in the state championship last year) and junior vault specialist Alex Miller. The list also notes that the team is scheduled to travel to the state tournament in June.

The Opponent: Beaverton‑Eaton Academy

The Beaverton‑Eaton Academy (BEA) is a private charter school located in the neighboring township. Their gymnastics team, known as the “Bears,” has a reputation for depth and consistency, winning the county championship in both 2023 and 2024. According to the BEA athletics page (https://beaathletics.com/), the Bears are led by Head Coach Carla Liu, who has been with the program for six seasons and has guided the team to three state‑level appearances.

The article highlights that the SPLS meet was the first time the Panthers had faced the Bears on SPLS’s own turf. “We’re excited to have the Bears here,” Coach Jensen said. “They’re a tough team, but we’re ready to show them what SPLS gymnastics can do.”

The Competition Format

The meet followed the typical high‑school gymnastics format: teams compete in four apparatuses—vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise—across two rounds. Each team’s top four scores on each apparatus counted toward the team total, and individual event scores determined the all‑star and all‑state selections. SPLS’s seniors were expected to carry the bulk of the scoring load, with sophomores providing depth and backup.

The article details the scoring for each apparatus:

• Vault: SPLS dominated, with Emma Clark delivering a clean double-twisting Yurchenko that earned a 9.9. BEA’s top vaulter, Maya Nguyen, scored 9.7 on her double-twisting handspring.
• Uneven Bars: SPLS’ senior flyer Alex Miller executed a high‑difficulty routine, earning a 9.8. BEA’s bar routine was flawless but slightly lower in difficulty, scoring a 9.6.
• Balance Beam: Emma Clark’s beam routine was the highlight, with a near‑perfect routine that gave her a 9.9. BEA’s top beam athlete, Olivia Smith, earned a 9.8.
• Floor Exercise: SPLS’s floor routines were energetic and well‑coordinated, with the senior class pulling together for a 9.8 average. BEA’s floor team matched this with a 9.7.

In total, SPLS finished the meet with 38.4 points, narrowly edging BEA’s 38.1. The difference came down to the vault and beam, where the Panthers’ senior athletes’ experience paid dividends.

Community and Coaching Behind the Scenes

Coach Jensen credited the entire SPLS coaching staff, including assistant coach Lisa Gonzalez, for preparing the athletes for the home meet. “We’ve worked hard to create a culture where athletes feel confident and supported,” he said. The article also highlights the role of the school’s physical‑therapy department, which provided on‑site injury prevention and recovery services—a new addition in the current athletic wing.

The SPLS community’s support was palpable. Student‑volunteer “volunteer cheer squad” coordinated a halftime show, and the local high‑school marching band performed a short set between rounds. Local businesses, including “Miller’s Hardware” and “St. Peter Pharmacy,” sponsored the meet with “SPLS gymnastics” banners and giveaways.

A Look Ahead

With the first home meet successfully concluded, the SPLS team is already looking forward to their next outing: a road meet against the regional rival, St. Paul’s Academy, scheduled for next Saturday. The article notes that the seniors will carry most of the scoring burden for the rest of the season, while the junior athletes will gain experience. Coach Jensen expressed confidence that the team will build momentum, potentially contending for the county title and an appearance at the state meet.

In addition to competition, SPLS’s gymnastics program is committed to community outreach. Coach Jensen mentioned an upcoming “Gymnastics for Kids” clinic to be held at the community center, aimed at encouraging younger students to pursue the sport. The event, scheduled for the following month, will showcase the senior athletes and highlight the pathways to collegiate gymnastics.

Key Takeaways

1. Historic Home Meet: SPLS gymnastics opened its season with its first home meet since the gym’s renovation, playing against the strong Beaverton‑Eaton Academy Bears.
2. Strong Senior Leadership: Emma Clark, Alex Miller, and other seniors delivered top‑level performances on vault, beam, bars, and floor, resulting in a narrow team victory.
3. Community Engagement: The event featured student volunteers, local business sponsorships, and a supportive audience, illustrating the community’s investment in SPLS athletics.
4. Future Outlook: The team will head to a road meet against St. Paul’s Academy and aim to qualify for the county and state championships, while also engaging younger students through outreach clinics.

The article serves not only as a record of a competitive season opener but also as a celebration of the collective effort that makes SPLS gymnastics a vibrant, community‑anchored program. The first home meet proved to be a successful launchpad for a season that promises to be exciting for athletes, coaches, and fans alike.