The Worthington High School gymnastics team won the Big South Conference championship Friday, edging Martin County Area 138.875-138.125.
Trojan senior Jordis Weber led her team in the all-around competition, placing second with an overall score of 35.0 — just behind Martin County Area's Lillie Schultz, who had 35.475. Also placing in the all-around for WHS was Jada Milbrath, who was fourth.
It was Weber winning the beam with a score of 9.125; Milbrath was second, Lucy Thier fourth and Kenadie Thiner fifth. Milbrath took first place on the bars for Worthington at 8.95. Weber was fourth for the Trojans and Thier fifth.
Thier's second-place effort was best for WHS on the floor, while Weber was third and Olivia Bullerman fifth. On the vault, Marley Phomsatry was third and Isabella Lazzu fifth.
The Trojans will next compete Saturday at sectionals in Luverne. Should Worthington win, the team will advance to the state meet for the 11th consecutive year.
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Minnesota West's "Kardiac Kids" won yet another nail-biter Saturday afternoon, as Zack Rygg's two free throws with 6.3 seconds left gave the Bluejays a 70-69 victory over Riverland — the No.-1-ranked team in NJCAA Division III men's basketball.
Rygg topped Minnesota West with 21 points as the squad improved to 19-6 overall and 5-4 in MCAC South play. Keion Irvin added 15 points, and Deondre Wallace had 10.
The Bluejays led 34-16 during the first half and settled for a 39-29 lead at the break. Riverland, 23-2, fought back and grabbed a one-point edge with just about two minutes remaining. The teams went back-and forth until Rygg's final throws; Christian Campbell's shot at the buzzer for the Blue Devils hit the rim.
Minnesota West made 50% of its shots from the field and limited Riverland to 36% shooting. The Bluejays won despite being outrebounded 44-28.
Minnesota West's men and No. 1-in-the-nation women will both play at St. Cloud Tech on Wednesday.
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In a boys basketball matchup on Friday night, WHS got up quickly on New Ulm 8-0, but the Eagles recovered and went on to top the Trojans 74-61.
New Ulm grabbed an 11-point advantage in the first half, but the Trojans outscored the Eagles 15-6 in the final minutes before the break to trail 35-33 at intermission. The Eagles led by as many as 16 in the second half. Jacari Swinea led the Trojans, who next play Tuesday at Tri-City United, with 26 points.
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In girls basketball action, Worthington traveled to Hutchinson on Saturday and was beaten 78-43. In a home game Friday night, the Trojan girls were defeated at New Ulm 83-51. Spartz led WHS with 10 points — all in the first half — while Alaina Feit had nine. WHS hosts Tri-City United on Tuesday.
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In area boys hockey Friday night, it was:
Austin 7, Windom 0
Luverne 6, New Ulm 2
In area boys basketball Friday night:
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 68, Lakeview 57
Edgerton 73, Adrian-Ellsworth 64
Jackson County Central 96, Redwood Valley 83
Fairmont 76, Tri-City United 32
Pipestone Area 76, St. James Area 71
Windom 109, Luverne 107
Marshall 74, St. Peter 71
Boyden-Hull 47, Sheldon 41
Rock Valley 59, Central Lyon 51
MOC-Floyd Valley 71, Okoboji 61
West Lyon 71, Unity Christian 70
Sioux Center 81, Sibley-Ocheyedan 62
Remsen-St. Mary’s 73, George-Little Rock 27
Spirit Lake 74, E-LC 61
In area girls basketball Friday night:
Hills-Beaver Creek 66, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 57
Southwest Minnesota Christian 65, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 32
Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 49, Red Rock Central 30
Edgerton 55, Westbrook-Walnut Grove 51
Adrian-Ellsworth 65, Murray County Central 35
St. James Area 66, Pipestone Area 53
Tri-City United 61, Fairmont 45
Windom 79, Luverne 38
Jackson County Central 60, Waseca 21
Marshall 81, St. Peter 44
Sheldon 44, Boyden-Hull 35
Central Lyon 57, Rock Valley 49
MOC-Floyd Valley 81, Okoboji 38
West Lyon 57, Unity Christian 41
George-Little Rock 63, Remsen-St Mary’s 43
E-LC 54, Spirit Lake 41
In area boys hockey Saturday, it was:
Hutchinson 4, Marshall 3
In area girls hockey Saturday:
Marshall 2, New Ulm 1
Luverne 6, Fairmont 1
In area boys basketball Saturday:
Pipestone Area 59, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 56
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 59, Westbrook-Walnut Grove 54
Martin County West 59, Mankato Loyola 43
Waseca 75, Jackson County Central 71
In area girls basketball Saturday:
Pipestone Area 71, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 40
Westbrook-Walnut Grove 47, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 36
Martin County West 53, Mankato Loyola 40
