Gaikowski, Olsen Lead Arrows with Top-10 Finishes in Mitchell
Photo: SDPB | Craig Wollman
MITCHELL, S.D. – Watertown’s Emery Gaikowski and Macy Olsen finished within the top 10 of the all-around during the individual portion of the 2026 Class AA State Gymnastics Meet. Harrisburg’s Katelyn Maeschen was the all-around champion with a score of 39.1834. The Arrows’ Ashlynn Andrews (35.4) and Shauna Evenson (35.3166) finished just outside the top 10.
Gaikowski and Olsen tied for sixth in the all-around with scores of 36.5. Olsen, a sophomore, placed seventh on the vault (9.3167) and beam (9.4833), and ninth on the floor (9.4333). Gaikowski, a junior, placed sixth on the beam (9.4833) and recorded a 9.1 on the vault, 8.5667 on the bars, and 9.35 on the floor.
Evenson, a junior, took home third on the floor (9.6833) and scored 8.8667 on the vault, 8.3833 on the bars, and 8.3833 on the beam. Andrews, also a junior, scored 9.1333 on the vault, 8.9 on the beam, and 9.15 on the floor.
Other Arrows who competed include Lyric Diedrich, who scored 8.7 on the vault and 8.7167 on the floor. Olsen added a 8.2833 on the bars to her total, while Kiera Schultz scored 8.3833 on the bars. Andrews posted an 8.2167 on the bars, Elly Dingsor finished with an 8.133 on the bars, and Ella Palmquist recorded an 8.8833 on the beam.
Watertown Gymnastics Secures Third at Class AA State Meet
Photo: SDPB/Craig Wollman
MITCHELL, S.D. — Watertown took home third place in the team competition at the 2026 Class AA State Gymnastics Meet on Friday.
The Arrows finished with 145.05 points. Harrisburg claimed the state championship with a score of 151.483, followed by runner-up Mitchell at 146.567.
Several Watertown gymnasts secured top-10 finishes in individual events, led by Shauna Evenson’s 9.6 on the beam and a 9.55 on the floor. Macy Olsen delivered a strong all-around performance with scores of 9.467 on the floor, 9.333 on the beam, and 9.3 on the vault. Rounding out the top scorers for the Arrows were Emery Gaikowski, who posted a 9.167 on the beam, and Elly Dingsor, who earned an 8.75 on the bars.
Watertown returns to the floor for the individual competition Saturday. South Dakota Public Broadcasting will provide full coverage, including live streams on its website and YouTube channel.
Watertown, Estelline/Hendricks and area teams ready for State Gymnastics Meet
MITCHELL, S.D. — The state gymnastics championships return to Mitchell High School this weekend, featuring a powerhouse Class A defending champion and a deep Class AA contender from the northeast.
Class AA: Watertown Brings Depth to Mitchell
The Watertown Arrows head into the Class AA state meet as one of the top eight qualifying teams in South Dakota. Watertown will be well-represented with a 10-athlete roster.
The Arrows’ lineup includes:
Senior: Ella Palmquist
Juniors: Lyric Diedrich, Karleigh Rumpza, Keira Schultz, Emery Gaikowski, Shauna Evenson, and Ashlynn Andrews.
Sophomore: Macy Olsen.
Eighth graders: Elly Dingsor and Livi Schmeling.
Watertown will contend with a field that includes defending champion Harrisburg, which posted the top qualifying score of 152.9833. Other team qualifiers include Mitchell, Pierre T.F. Riggs, Brookings, Sioux Falls Lincoln, Yankton, and Sioux Falls Roosevelt.
Class A: Estelline/Hendricks Eyes Title Defense
In Class A, all eyes are on Estelline/Hendricks as the Redhawks arrive to defend their 2025 team championship. The team enters the meet as the favorite after posting the highest qualifying score in the state at 145.933.
The Redhawks’ lineup includes:
Senior: Lita Fryer
Juniors: Savannah Seidell, and Whitney Court
Sophomore: Jaylee Berwald
Freshman: Sidney Court, and Maggie Hausman
Eighth graders: Emi Hartung, Riah Hartung, and Emma Olson
Seventh grader: Courtney Court
Estelline/Hendricks will compete against Britton-Hecla, Deuel, Chamberlain, Madison, Milbank Area, Parkston/Ethan/Hanson/Mount Vernon, and Sisseton.
Schedule of Events
The two-day event is split between team and individual competitions:
Friday, Feb. 13: The Class A team competition begins with opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. The Class AA team session follows at 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14: Individual and all-around titles will be decided, with Class A starting at 10 a.m. and Class AA at 3:30 p.m.
A total of 88 gymnasts will compete in Class AA, while 85 will compete in Class A. South Dakota Public Broadcasting will provide live streams of the events at SDPB.org/Gymnastics and on YouTube.
Watertown Gymnastics Dominates Last Chance Qualifier; Gaikowski Takes All-Around
WATERTOWN, S.D. — Watertown posted the top score of 144.750 during the afternoon session of the Last Chance State Qualifier Meet held at the Watertown Civic Arena.
Emery Gaikowski led the scoring in the all-around with a 36.275. Teammate Shauna Evenson followed closely in second with a 36.025. Macy Olsen placed fourth with a 35.800, and Ashleynn Andrews rounded out the top five with a 34.950.
Gaikowski tied with Evenson for second on the vault (9.100), placed second on the floor (9.525), and took third on the beam (9.150). Evenson had the top score on the floor (9.675) and placed fourth on the beam (8.900). Olsen took the top spot on the beam (9.375) and third on the floor (9.475).
Other placing Arrows included Elly Dingsor placing third on the bars (9.150). Kiera Schultz placed fifth on the bars (8.625). Ashlynn Andrews tied for fifth on the vault (9.025).
Watertown gymnastics will wrap up its season next weekend in Mitchell at the state meet.
Watertown Takes Fourth at ESD Meet; Evenson Places Top Five
ABERDEEN, S.D. — Watertown placed fourth as a team with a score of 142.025 at the 2026 Eastern South Dakota Conference Meet held in Aberdeen. Harrisburg took the top spot with a score of 151.225, led by the Tigers’ Katelyn Maeschen, who swept every individual category.
For Watertown, Shauna Evenson placed fifth in the all-around with a score of 36.375. Evenson scored a 9.575 on the floor exercise, tying for third place. She also tied for sixth on the beam (9.425), scored a 9.05 on the vault, and recorded an 8.325 on the bars.
Emery Gaikowski placed ninth in the all-around with a score of 34.575. Gaikowski scored an 8.3 on vault, 8.275 on bars, 8.925 on beam, and 9.075 on floor.
Watertown gymnastics next hosts the State Qualifier on Feb. 7.
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