South Dakota Gymnasts Flip Into State Championship Wins

South Dakota's best young gymnasts proved that hard work and teamwork create champions worth celebrating.

Mitchell High School hosted the state gymnastics championships Friday, bringing together the top athletes from across South Dakota. The energy in the gym was electric as families, coaches, and communities gathered to watch their teams compete for state glory.

Harrisburg came ready to defend their title in Class AA. The team delivered a dominant performance, scoring 151.48 points and winning by nearly five points over their closest competitor. That margin was the largest between any placements in the entire competition, showing just how prepared these athletes were.

Mitchell took second place with 146.56 points, earning a strong finish in front of their home crowd. Watertown followed close behind at 145.05, with Lincoln and Brookings rounding out the top five.

In Class A competition, Estelline-Hendricks proved they're building a dynasty. The team captured their second consecutive state title with 140.53 points. The battle for second was much tighter in this division, with Parkston/Ethan/Hanson/Mount Vernon-Plankinton earning 137.81 points.

Deuel claimed third place by the slimmest of margins, edging out Madison by just a quarter of a point. That razor-thin difference shows how competitive South Dakota gymnastics has become, where every routine and every landing matters.

Why This Inspires

These young athletes show us what dedication looks like in action. Gymnastics demands countless hours in the gym, mental toughness, and the courage to perform difficult skills in front of crowds. These teams didn't just show up for one competition. They trained all season, supported each other through falls and fears, and pushed themselves to be better every single day.

The tight competition across both divisions proves that South Dakota gymnastics is thriving. When multiple teams finish within points of each other, it means the entire sport is growing stronger. These athletes are raising the bar for future gymnasts and showing younger kids what's possible with commitment.

Individual competition continues Saturday, giving these talented gymnasts another chance to shine and represent their schools with pride.