Girls Gymnastics 2025: Monticello's Lauren Hansen realizes dream with Class A all-around gold
Posted: Saturday, February 22, 2025 - 4:23 PM
The top eight Class A all-around finishers pose on the awards podium: Eighth-place Anika Golla of Breck School, sixth-place Grace Jacobson of Mankato West, fourth-place Lucy Penttila of Simley, runner-up Maggie Schander of Detroit Lakes, champion Lauren Hansen of Monticello, bronze medalist Dakota Esget of North Branch Area, fifth-place Keatyn Nowacki of Monticello and seventh-place Addy Laux of Detroit Lakes.
Lauren Hansen credits her Monticello Magic teammates for aiding her improvement. A day after they collectively earned a runner-up trophy in the Class A Girls Gymnastics State Meet Team Championships, the Magic provided Hansen one final tip.
None of them had checked the meet's live scoring page, so when longtime State Meet announcer Allie Cronk delivered the news that Hansen was the all-around gold medalist, emotions took over.
"I just started crying right away," Hansen said, "and they were like, 'we want good pictures!' so wipe your tears and get up!"
Hansen now has a number of photo keepsakes to cherish after also reaching the top of the podium at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul for her uneven bars (9.425) and floor exercise (9.525) scores. Her floor routine during the event's final rotation boosted her to the all-around title with a score of 37.475 a year after placing third.
"It was always a dream but I just didn't think it was possible," Hansen said.
"Last year everyone kept congratulating me on third and I was just not satisfied about third place."
Congratulations to @MonticelloMagic's Lauren Hansen - the 2025 Class A All-Around Champion! @MSHSL pic.twitter.com/wsV6hEkqZB
— NSPN - Minnesota (@NSPNminnesota) February 23, 2025
Offseason workouts — including after Track and Field practice in the spring — and skills upgrades helped her achieve her dream.
"Just as I wanted. I couldn't ask for anything more," Hansen said. "I feel like I've worked so hard all year and I've been pushed by my teammates so much."
Detroit Lakes junior Maggie Schander won gold in vault (9.775) and was the all-around runner-up (37.35) after helping the Lakers win the team title Friday. Reigning champion Dakota Esget, a senior from North Branch Area, earned the all-around bronze (37.325). Sophomore Hadassa Gonzalez of Watertown-Mayer/Mound Westonka was the balance beam champion with a tie-breaking score of 9.3875.
