Chaney Neu of Champlin Park begins the vault that became the first perfect score at the gymnastics state meet. (Minnesota Star Tribune file)

Champions will be honored when the girls high school gymnastics state meet convenes Friday and Saturday at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

Not just the girls who win over the weekend, but also the champions who came before.

The meet reached its milestone 50th birthday last season. This year, the Minnesota Girls Gymnastics Coaches Association (MGGCA), in conjunction with the Minnesota State High School League, plans to recognize past state champions. In addition to being invited to the pre-meet dinner and awards ceremony Thursday, past winners will walk, en masse, at the front of the meet’s Parade of Champions introductions before each day’s competition.

In addition to being invited to the pre-meet dinner and awards ceremony Thursday, past winners will walk, en masse, at the front of the meet’s Parade of Champions introductions before each day’s competition.

Bringing back some of the most notable gymnasts of the past presents an opportunity for reflection about an event many say now was more life-changing than they realized. 

For more on the four past champions who made bold marks, click here to read this story on startribune.com.