The Waseca Bluejay gymnastics team delivered a historic performance Tuesday night, posting its highest team score in the last ten years in a home meet against a strong Byron squad. While the Bluejays ultimately fell to Byron by a final score of 140.25–135.425, the night was filled with record-setting performances, season highs, and personal bests that underscored the continued growth of the program.
The team score of 135.425 marks the best varsity total for Waseca gymnastics in the past decade. Vault proved to be a major strength on the night, as the Bluejays recorded a team season high of 35.425. The team also established new program records on vault, with scores of 34.425 and 35.95, highlighting the depth and consistency across the lineup.
Senior standout Layla Keith led the way with an exceptional all-around performance. Keith earned top all-around honors in the meet with a score of 35.925, while also capturing first place on the bars (8.675) and floor (9.55). Her floor score of 9.55 tied her own school record, and she added season highs on both vault (9.15) and floor (9.55).
Additional all-around highlights included Katelyn Weber, who posted a 33.125 to place 4th overall, and Ellie Clark, who recorded a new personal-best all-around score of 33.1, finishing 5th overall.
On the vault, Keith’s 9.15 was a new personal best and placed her 3rd. Weber followed with a 9.0, also a personal best, good for 5th, while Clark added an 8.675 to finish 6th.
On bars, Keith paced the Bluejays with her first-place score of 8.675, while Weber earned 6th place with a 7.55.
Beam saw Keith score an 8.55 for 4th, while Clark continued her strong night with another personal best, scoring an 8.375 to place 5th.
In the floor exercise, Keith again topped the field with her 9.55. Hannah Parks delivered a standout routine, scoring a new personal-best 9.125 to place 5th, while Clark rounded out the scoring with a personal-best 8.75, finishing 7th.
Following the meet, Bluejay head coach Kim Wendland reflected on the significance of the performance:
“Last night I had one of the most dynamic and successful nights as a coach. The highest varsity team score since I have been coaching at Waseca—10 years. The girls eliminated mistakes from Saturday at MCA and proved they could put in an amazing team score.”
Despite the loss, the night served as a major milestone for the program and a strong indicator of what lies ahead for the Bluejays as the season continues.