PIERRE — With the regular season dwindling to a few short days, the Pierre gymnastics team focus has turned razor sharp.

The Lady Govs turned in their best score of the season at 134.75 in a mini-meet Saturday at the school administration building. The meet was rescheduled from Jan. 7 and had Mitchell joining Aberdeen Central in competition. Class A Warner also brought a partial team.

Pierre had scored a disappointing 127.275 two weeks ago at their own invitational. Weather had sidelined them since Jan. 16 so they have been redoubling their efforts in practice.

Brad Gienger| For The Capital Journal Pierre’s Shelby Spelbring competes on the uneven bars during Saturday’s mini-meet at the school administration building in Pierre. Advertisement

“Practices have been different,” coach Nicki Abels said. “We’ve been taking things more serious. They realized that they have to be more focused or we’re not going to make state. Everyone’s been putting forth more effort in practice.”

Another boost to the score was the full return of Cheyna Lodge. Abels had planned on holding Lodge back due to sore knees but the sophomore ended up the all-around winner with a 35.4.

“Cheyna’s such a tough cookie,” said Abels. “We decided to let her do floor if she didn’t throw her hardest pass. She still scored a 9.4 to put her in the Pierre all-time top 10.”

Besides winning the floor, Lodge was second on the beam and third on the vault. Shelby Gerber was second on the floor with an 8.65 and tied with teammate Shelby Spelbring for third on the bars at 8.4. Sydney Gutenkauf was second on the bars at 8.5.

“(Gerber and Spelbring) continue to bring strong scores to the team,” said Abels. “They are good consistent athletes. Melissa Bobby has been doing great for me on the bars.”

Lodge and Sarah Polak both stuck their bar routines. Brittany Munyon strained a ligament in her foot on Friday evening.

“Our score could have been even higher with her,’ said Abels.

The final action before the regionals is Saturday at the ESD meet in Yankton. The team is hoping to continue the momentum and keep everyone healthy as crunch time looms closer.

“Whomever is able to compete will be determined by injury,” said Abels.

Team scores: Mitchell 136.75, Pierre 134.75, Aberdeen Central 128.35, Warner incomplete.

Bars—1. Emily Paulsen, Mitchell, 8.6; 2. Sydney Gutenkauf, Pierre, 8.5; 3. (tie)_ Shelby Spelbring, Pierre and Shelby Gerber, Pierre, 8.4.

Beam—1. Emily Paulson, Mitchell, 9.35; 2. Cheyna Lodge, Pierre, 8.95; 3. Rebecca Sadler, Mitchell, 8.85.

Floor—1. Cheyna Lodge, Pierre, 9.4; 2. Shelby Gerber, Pierre, 8.65; 3. Mercedes Geraets, Mitchell, 8.65.

Vault—1. Mercedes Geraets, Mitchell, 34.05; 2. Brooke Horner, AC, 8.9; 3. (tie) Cheyna Lodge, Pierre and Alli Arampatzis, AC, 8.7.

All-around—1. Cheyna Lodge, Pierre, 35.4; 2. Emily Paulson, Mitchell, 34.35; 3. Mercedes Geraets, Mitchell, 34.05.