Tanager gymnasts set for Wagner Invitational Tournament Saturday

 After a 10-day break since their season-opening dual against Sioux Falls Lincoln, Vermillion's gymnasts head west Saturday to join other schools in competition at Wagner's invitational tournament."I was very pleased with our performance at the first meet," said Coach Mark Upward after the Lincoln dual. "We were four points higher than last year's start."Upward noted that his returning girls did very well for their first meet while some of the younger varsity competitors had first-meet jitters. "Amber (Walker) and Elly (Melby) picked up where they left off last year and led the team to a great start."As reported last week, Melby was fourth and Walker fifth in the all-around standings.VHS scores in individual events in the Lincoln dual included:Bars:  Elly Melby 7.625, Amber Walker 7.2, Morgan Hower 6.975, Cassie Donahoe 4.575, Ellie Glover 3.675.Beam:  Melby 8.175, Walker 7.275, Jade Fostvedt 6.975, Rory Tucker 6.75, Anna Hammond 5.45, Donahoe 4.35. Vault:  Melby 8.375, Walker 8.3, Jamie Moos 8.1, Hower 8.05, Anna Hammond 7.925, Alexis Reich 7.65.Floor exercise:  Walker 8.325, Melby 8.175, Fostvedt 7.7, Tucker 7.3, Reich 6.025.Vermillion's junior high gymnasts competed at the Lincoln dual even though the Patriots did not field a JV team that meet.  The Tanagers' JV scores were:Beam:  Shayla Kiertzner 5.825, Kanyon Hower 5.525, Jamie Moos 5.0, Hope Knedler 4.15.Floor exercise:  Moos 5.825, Cheyenne Mallory 5.125.Bars:  Moos 4.375, Teddi Settles 4.275, Knedler 3.5, Kristen Johnson 3.05, Michaela Olson 2.5.Vault:  Settles 7.25, Knedler 7.05, Ellie Glover 6.0, Mallory 6.0.