Said Stillwater coach Joan Ledson, “We just weren’t able to build any consistency on the beam in the second half of the season.”

The key to the season for Lakeville North was the return of junior Anna Altermatt midway through the year. An elite-level all-arounder, Altermatt wavered before the season on whether she wanted to commit to the high school team or commit herself to her club team.

Lakeville North’s Class 6A football state championship helped sway her decision to come back.

“Omigosh, yes!” said Altermatt, who competed in just three regular-season meets. “That was so amazing. Them winning made us want to win.”

Lakeville North coach Teri Homan said, “I talked to her in the fall when she was going to do club and I told her, ‘We’re always here for you.’ Then watching our football teams have success just brought that team thing back to her. She was part of the team when we won [the state championship] two years ago and she wanted to do it again.”

Rejoining fellow junior Rachel Steiner gave the Panthers two all-arounders who were capable of scoring 38 or better. Both did Friday, and filled out an already deep and talented Lakeville North lineup.

And best of all, Homan said, is that next year looks just as bright. “We don’t have any seniors,” she said. “I’d say Lakeville North is back.”

As for Altermatt, how does she feel about coming back to the team now?

“The best decision I’ve ever made,” she said.