Perham Gymnastics Places Fifth at Home Invitational, Shows Promise

Perham High School welcomed area teams for the 21st annual Jackie Mann Invitational on December 6, a marquee early season meet that tested routines and consistency for local gymnasts. The Perham squad posted a team score of 136.16 to place fifth overall, a result that reflected a blend of promising individual work and the reality of a youthful roster adjusting to new leadership.

Coaches and observers noted that execution in event rotations shaped the final standings, with routines across vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise contributing to the composite score. Judges awarded scores that underscored both high potential and room for growth, as athletes sharpened basics and gained competition experience in a gym packed with family and community members.

The day took on significance beyond team placement. For Perham, competing at a home invitational under a new head coach offered a baseline for progress and a chance to evaluate lineups early in the season. Young athletes received competitive minutes that are essential for developing consistency and reducing injury risk through improved technique and confidence. The meet also provided a public measure of how coaching changes are translating into training emphasis and athlete readiness.

Community impact was clear in the turnout and support. Local meets in Otter Tail County serve as gathering points where families, schools, and neighbors invest time and attention in youth activity that promotes physical fitness and mental resilience. Investment in school athletics provides benefits that extend into public health, by encouraging active lifestyles, and into social equity, by ensuring girls and boys in rural communities have access to structured sports and coaching.

Looking ahead, Perham’s performance at the Jackie Mann Invitational sets priorities for the coming weeks of the season, including consistency in execution, deepening the competitive experience of younger athletes, and sustaining community and school support for the program. As routines are refined and scores climb, the meet offered a realistic foundation for growth and a reminder that local sports programs can be engines of health, opportunity, and community pride.