Grand Forks will only have one gymnast competing in all-around at the North Dakota state meet this weekend in Jamestown, but KnightRiders coach Sarah Zieska is hoping for a strong finish for junior Ashley Weiland.
Weiland, who finished eighth in all-around at last weekend's East Region meet in Fargo, is ranked No. 24 at the state meet.
Zieska, who is in her first season as head coach, said Weiland is capable of a top-15 finish.
"Ashley's strengths are in vault and floor," Zieska said. "She's been our rock for the team. If she has a good meet, our team usually does well. It definitely affects us. She's one person who holds the team together."
Weiland, who was named an all-East Region selection, is ranked 25th in uneven bars, 37th on beam, 35th in floor exercise and 15th on vault.
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"She's improved a bunch," Zieska said. "If she works hard in the offseason, I think she could place very high at state. She's got a ton of potential, and she's a hard worker."
The meet begins at 4 p.m. Friday and continues with a 2 p.m. start Saturday.
As a team, the KnightRiders finished fourth at the East Region meet and are seeded ninth at the state meet.
Dickinson High, led by all-around favorite seventh-grader Acacia Fossum, is the top-ranked team at state.
"We had our season-high in points at the region meet, so everyone had a good night," Zieska said. "At state, we're shooting for a top-seven finish."
Miller reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1121; (800) 477-6572, ext. 121; or send e-mail to tmiller@gfherald.com .
