Apr. 3—JAMESTOWN — Sutton Van Gilder got some shocking news a couple of weeks ago.
Well — really only shocking to her.
"I found out that I was named to the (All-State) team about two weeks ago when I was coaching at the gymnastics club," said Van Giler, a junior for the Jamestown High School gymnastics team. (Head coach) Bre (Carlson) had turned to me and said, 'Sutty you made the First-Team, congratulations!'"
Van Gilder couldn't keep the news to herself.
"After that I had to tell Julia (Skari) that she got named to the team too because I couldn't contain my excitement," Van Gilder said.
Van Gilder and Skari were both named to the 2025 First-Team, All-State roster last week.
"This is something new for me, so it was exciting and it still is exciting," Van Gilder said of being named to the first-team. "The hours put into this sport finally paid off and I am overjoyed. It is a really big honor to be voted onto a team with some of the best gymnasts in the state."
Van Gilder was named a second-team, all-stater as a sophomore — an honor that served as motivation for the 2024-25 season.
Throughout the entire season, Van Gilder was ranked in the top 10 or higher in vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. At the 2025 NDHSAA State Gymnastics Meet, Van Gilder placed sixth in the all-around with a score of 36.783.
"I was very consistent this season and I think that is what the coaches look for when voting," Van Gilder said. "I did win bars at a meet with most of the teams in the state, so that was a big accomplishment for me, but other than that I scored well all season and never really had a bad meet.
"My biggest accomplishment this season was my form and execution," she said. "Fixing that made my scores boost a lot, and that is what helped with me getting named to the All-State team in the first place."
Van Gilder is done with gymnastics until the summer, but is starting to practice a couple of days a week to maintain her skills so when summer comes around, she is able to work on upgrades for next season.
"Sutton is not only a hard worker but also a great team leader," Skari said. "She is one of the most deserving for this award. She has stepped it up for not only herself but also for the team. I am very confident she will have an amazing senior year next year and lead the team."
A First-Team, All-State nomination might be new territory for Van Gilder but for Skari, it is business as usual.
"I have been so fortunate to be awarded for six years in a row," Skari said. "It's a testament to my coaches, my teammates, and my determination as a gymnast. I just knew I only had one more year in gymnastics so I just needed to give it my all and wish for the best outcome."
After a season full of first-place titles and record scores, Skari's gymnastics career culminated at the state gymnastics meet.
The senior recorded the highest bar score of her career, a 9.767 on the first day of the state meet. The following day, she quite literally floored her opponents, teammates, coaches and the judges with a routine that would earn a 9.783 and the 2025 floor exercise state title. She also was named the 2025 runner-up in the all-around competition.
"Julia is a motivator," Van Gilder said. "She always motivates you to do your skills, she is very uplifting and that is a good quality to have."
At the conclusion of the state meet, Skari was named the 2025 North Dakota Senior Athlete of the Year in the sport of gymnastics. She is the fourth Blue Jay in five years to earn the title. Emma Hillerud was the last Blue Jay to win the title, in 2023.
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