The Worthington Trojans gymnastics team is heading back to state for the 10th consecutive year after once again capturing the Section 3A championship Saturday in Windom.
WHS accumulated a team total of 142.85 points to win the sectional meet. Luverne was second at 136.45 and followed by Redwood Valley, Pipestone and Jackson County Central.
In addition to its state meet-qualifying championship, five Trojan gymnasts also qualified for state on an individual basis. Hali Bullerman and Addison Gerber will both compete in the all-around, while Brooklyn Dykstra will compete on the bars and floor, Jordis Weber on the beam and Kenadie Thiner on the floor.
The Trojans also earned the Section 3A Academic Award for gymnastics with a combined GPA of 3.97. WHS will compete in the state championships this Friday at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul. Individual and all-around championships will be the next day at the same location.
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In girls basketball Saturday, Waseca limited Worthington to just eight points in the first half and then held on in the second half to edge the Trojans 40-37 in a Big South crossover game in Blue Earth.
Waseca led 19-8 after the first 20 minutes and grew its lead in the second half before WHS began a rally that fell just short. The Trojans will next host Blue Earth on Tuesday night.
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Minnesota West’s basketball teams swept a doubleheader at Western Technical College on Saturday, as the Lady Jays cruised to a 93-36 triumph and the men won 72-60.
In the women’s matchup, Minnesota West led 22-8 after the first quarter and was never threatened as it got a victory in its final game of the regular season. Olivia Hayenga led the way with 24 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five steals while Hattie DeVries added 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. The third-ranked-in-the-nation Lady Jays, now 21-7 overall and 10-2 in MCAC South play, limited Western Tech to 26% shooting while also forcing 30 turnovers.
Next up is the Region 13 Tournament March 2-3 at Anoka-Ramsey, where the Lady Jays will look to earn their third straight trip to the national tournament.
In the men’s game, Minnesota West trailed 33-30 at the half but outscored Western Tech by 15 points in the second half to come away with the victory and grab its third MCAC South win of the season. Henry Counsel’s 17 points led four Bluejay players in double figures. Karasharo Ojulo added 15 points and Jordan Sinclar and Teddy Collins Jr. each had 11.
Sinclair and Ojulo each had seven rebounds for Minnesota West, which is now 5-21 overall. The Bluejays host Ridgewater in their regular season finale on Wednesday night.
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In Section 3AA wrestling, Marshall topped New Ulm 48-15 in the semifinals but was edged by Dawson-Boyd/LQPV/Montevideo 28-27 in the finals. Worthington competed in the opening round of the tourney Thursday night and lost to Windom/Mountain Lake 51-13. Jason Tran won by decision at 152 pounds for the Trojans and Eh Day Htoo by major decision at 215.
In Section 3A wrestling Saturday, top-seeded Jackson County Central qualified for state as a team by beating Fulda/Murray County Central 43-21 in the semifinals and Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 42-28 in the finals. T-M-B had defeated Adrian-Ellsworth 24-21 in the semis. The Class A state tourney is Feb. 29 at the Xcel Energy Center. The individual section tournament is Saturday, Feb. 24 in Pipestone.
Sheldon South O’Brien wrestler Jarrett Roos, a No. 1 seed at 190 pounds, won a Class 2A state title this past weekend in Des Moines.
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The Worthington High School boys hockey team will open sectional tourney play at home Tuesday night against Fairmont. Game time is 7 p.m.
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In area girls basketball Saturday, it was:
Jackson County Central 86, St. James Area 84
Luverne 50, Tri-City United 47
Pipestone Area 51, Blue Earth 48
Marshall 67, Fairmont 47
St. Peter 82, Windom 46
Estherville Lincoln Central 57, Spirit Lake 38
In area boys basketball Saturday:
Luverne 69, Little Wound, S.D. 29
In area girls basketball Friday, it was:
Pipestone Area 63, Edgerton 61
Springfield 70, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 32
Mountain Lake Area-Comfey 69, Nicollet 58
George-Little Rock 46, Akron-Westfield 39
Central Lyon 47, Kingley-Pierson/River Valley 32
In area boys basketball Friday:
Spring Grove 66, Martin County West 32
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 76, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 35
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 95, Canby 78
Murray County Central 82, Adrian-Ellsworth 48
Red Rock Central 64, Edgerton 61
Southwest Minnesota Christian 65, Westbrook-Walnut Grove 48
Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 56, Hills-Beaver Creek 55
Jackson County Central 76, Pipestone Area 65
Waseca 80, Marshall 72
Fairmont 76, Windom 46
In area boys hockey Friday:
Waseca 6, Marshall 4
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