Bismarck High and Century gymnastics assistant coach Linda Grina often wonders how the two teams would fare at the state meet if they combined.

Grina believes both squads field a lot of talent.

But Grina knows that's not in the best interest of the two programs as some of the gymnasts would end up sitting and not gaining experience.

Grina sees both teams being in the mix as a new season of gymnastics is set to begin.

"We have some good talent," Grina said. "We've thrown in some bigger skills. It will be an exciting year as long as everybody stays healthy."

Both squads have a lot to look forward to this season. Century placed fourth in team competition at last season's state meet. The Demons placed fifth.

Just one senior - Megan Meyer of Bismarck - graduated from last season. Meyer was the top Bismarck placer, finishing third all-around.

Both teams field a wealth of youth. Century suits up just one senior - Jessica Nelson who finished 12th all-around at last year's state meet.

Jennifer Albers returns as Century's top gymnast. The sophomore placed seventh all-around last year and won the bars with a score of 9.700.

"I'm most comfortable on the bars," Albers said. "Bars just clicked for me, and I started enjoying it more."

Albers said she had been working on more difficult skills since last year, but won't unveil them until the second or third meet of the season.

"I want to master the skills before I use them in competition," she said. "They will give me bonus points so I can improve my scores. I will be pretty confident in them by the second or third meet."

Bismarck returns sophomore MacKenzie Keidel, who was an all-around champion as an eighth- grader.

Keidel placed eighth on the floor (9.433) and 13th on the bars (9.117) last season.

"Everybody is always close in score," Keidel said. "There are a ton of people who have the potential to take first. Every movement, bending your legs and flexing your toes, costs points."

Keidel has added difficulty moves in all events and plans to unleash them immediately.

"I have the confidence I can do it in a meet," she said.

Other returners for Century are TreAna Horner, Jessica Gabriel and Lauren Gietzen, who placed eighth all-around at last season's state meet.

Eighth-grader Kacey Diehl is a newcomer to the Patriots.

Other returnees for the Demons are Brooke Hilzendeger, Kathryn Pomeroy, Ashley Meyer, Toria Johnson and Kaylee Keller, who placed 11th in all-around.

Katlin Kelley, Megan Kelley and Mara Nustad - all seventh-graders - are newcomers to the Demons.