Pierre Gymnastics: State Qualifier Preview & Schedule | Saturday in Watertown

Watertown High School will host a crucial Class AA State Qualifying gymnastics meet this Saturday, February 7, 2026, as teams across South Dakota vie for a spot at the state championships. The competition will be split into morning and afternoon sessions, accommodating a wide range of participating schools.

Pierre Governor gymnastics will compete in the morning session, beginning at 9:00 AM, alongside Aberdeen, Harrisburg, Mitchell, Lincoln, and Washington. This represents a final opportunity for these teams to refine their routines and secure qualification for the state meet. The afternoon session will feature Brookings, Huron, O’Gorman, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Watertown, and Yankton.

The state championships themselves are scheduled to take place in Mitchell on February 13th and 14th, according to reports from KORN News Radio and NewsBreak. Mitchell Kernels Gymnastics will host the event at Mitchell High School, following their own last-chance state qualifier in Watertown this Saturday.

Elsewhere in South Dakota high school sports, the Yankton Bucks boys basketball team is set to face the Pierre Governors tonight, Thursday, February 5th, in Pierre. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 PM on KYNT and KYNTV, with tip-off at 7:00 PM. Simultaneously, the Yankton Gazelles basketball team will host the Pierre Governors at the Summit Activities Center, also with a 6:30 PM pregame show on KYNTV and a 7:00 PM tip-off.

The Yankton Gazelles gymnastics team recently concluded their regular season, finishing with a score of 134.75 in a meet against Estelline-Hendricks, who scored 143.35. Marissa Byrkeland led the Gazelles, placing third in the all-around competition with a score of 34.45. Byrkeland and Avery Portillo tied for third on the floor exercise with a 9.2, while Portillo tied for second on vault at 9.1, and Emma Gobel tied for fourth on bars at 8.05. The Gazelles will now focus their efforts on the Class AA State Qualifying meet in Watertown.

In collegiate athletics, the Mount Marty Lancers softball team is preparing for their season opener this Sunday against Culver-Stockton and Benedictine in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Lancers finished the 2025 season with a 20-21 overall record, going 10-12 in GPAC play. They are currently tied with Hastings for seventh place in the GPAC Softball Preseason Poll, which is led by Midland, Morningside, and Northwestern.

The South Dakota Coyotes men’s basketball team will be in action tomorrow night, Friday, February 6th, taking on the Kansas City Roos in Kansas City. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM. South Dakota State Men’s Basketball will also play tomorrow night, hosting St. Thomas in Brookings.

A significant individual achievement was also announced this week: Wagner senior Ashlyn Koupal has become the first girl from South Dakota ever selected to participate in the McDonald’s All American girls’ basketball game. Koupal joins Mike Miller as the only athletes from South Dakota to receive this honor. The game is scheduled for March 31st in Phoenix, Arizona. This marks a historic moment for South Dakota high school basketball and highlights Koupal’s exceptional talent and dedication.

The Mitchell Kernels Gymnastics team recently finished as runner-up at the ESD Conference meet in Aberdeen on Saturday, scoring 146.725, second only to Harrisburg. Kyanna Gropper and Olivia Prunty led the Kernels, placing second and third respectively in the all-around competition. Gropper and Prunty also achieved high placements in the bars competition, further demonstrating the team’s strength and skill.