Jamestown gymnastics rallies without seniors at Mandan Invitational

Jamestown High School finished third at the Mandan Invitational on Jan. 15, posting a team score of 138.775 in a meet won by Dickinson (149.400) with Minot second (142.775). The result came amid adversity: seniors Aubrey Krapp and Hayden Olson were sidelined by ankle injuries, and Olson only competed on uneven bars, scoring 7.400, while Krapp did not compete.

The Jamestown team leaned on younger athletes to keep its score competitive. Eighth-grader Gradee Van Gilder landed a new vault for the first time and recorded the team’s highest vault score of the season. Keira Andersen produced the team’s top balance beam score with a 9.325. Other underclassmen contributed across vault, bars, beam and floor to sustain the team total despite the absence of two consistent scorers.

Coach Bre Carlson praised the roster for rallying in the face of injuries, highlighting the role of depth and development within the program. The meet performance underlines how building experience among younger gymnasts can stabilize results when upperclassmen are injured, a model that may be important for Jamestown’s season-long competitiveness.

The injuries also have broader implications for Stutsman County families and school athletics. Ankle injuries are common in gymnastics and often require timely assessment, physical therapy and follow-up to prevent longer-term problems. In rural communities, gaps in access to sports medicine, athletic trainers and rehabilitation services can lengthen recovery and increase stress on families juggling travel and appointments. For student-athletes in Jamestown, the balance between competing and healing will be a practical concern as the season continues.

For the Jamestown community, the Mandan Invitational result offers both encouragement and a reminder to prioritize athlete health. The team showed it can compete without its top seniors, but the loss of experienced competitors will shape lineups in upcoming meets and place emphasis on injury prevention and care. School athletic staff, parents and local health providers will need to coordinate so injured athletes receive appropriate follow-up and so younger gymnasts can be supported as they step into larger roles.

As the season moves forward, Jamestown’s depth will be tested again and the recovery timelines for Krapp and Olson will determine how the team adjusts. For local residents, the meet showcased promising young talent while underscoring the importance of medical resources and community support for youth sports in Stutsman County.