Squads poised for state berths
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Based on last week’s sectional scores, it would appear Columbus North and Columbus East are solid favorites to claim the two qualifying spots from Friday’s East Regional to next weekend’s gymnastics state finals.
The Bull Dogs, tied for No. 3 in the final state rankings, won Friday’s East Sectional with a 107.375, while the fifth-ranked Olympians were second with a 106.25. No. 20 Connersville scored a 104.05 to win its own sectional, the only other one to feed into the East Regional.
“The scores from the other sectional are not as high, but we have seen some of those teams, and they have some talented athletes,” North coach Sandy Freshour said.
“My philosophy is, the kids always compete against themselves. You run into problems when you start competing against other teams in gymnastics, because you have to have a mindset that you’re focused on your own routines.”
The Bull Dogs may or may not have senior Danielle McDermott available for the regional. McDermott sprained an ankle while warming up for the sectional and did not compete. She didn’t practice Monday or Tuesday and was listed as day to day.
“We’re preparing just like we always would,” Freshour said. “We haven’t made any changes in anything. Based on the scores posted, I think we would do OK. We’ll have to have a good meet again, but we definitely have a little more preparation time.”
East, meanwhile, is in position to earn its first trip to state since 2010.
“I feel (the chances are) good,” East coach Nancy Kirshman said. “We’ve performed well. We’ve increased our degree of difficulty each week, and we’re still going strong.”
Seymour was the third regional qualifier out of the East Sectional. Hagerstown and New Castle also qualified from Connersville.
Action begins at 7 p.m. Friday. The top two teams, plus any individuals in the top six in an event or the all-around, qualify for the March 9 state finals at Ball State.
Four earn All-Star selection
Four area football players have been selected to play in this year’s North-South All-Star Classic.
East offensive lineman Rob McKee, North linebacker Shaquille Ash, Jennings County tight end Tommy Taylor and South Decatur punter Matt Gatewood are members of the South squad. East assistant coach Eddie Vogel will be an assistant for the South team.
The game will be July 19 at North Central.
Lomax, Robinson picked for Top 60
Two area seniors are slated to participate in the annual Girls Top 60 Workout.
East’s Mikala Lomax and Brown County’s Sasha Robinson were selected for the event, which will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at Marian University. Admission is $7.
Seymour native wins 3A title
After leading the Mount Vernon (Fortville) girls basketball team to a Class 3A runner-up finish last year, former Seymour and Butler University standout Julie (VonDielingen) Shelton guided the Marauders to the 3A title this season.
Shelton’s Mount Vernon squad downed Hamilton Heights 61-47 Saturday at the Hulman Center in Terre Haute. Shelton, who led the Marauders to a 23-4 record this season, is 243-102 in 15 years at the school.
Bull Dogs’ state finals connections
North went 2-1 this season against schools who played in Saturday’s girls basketball state finals.
The Bull Dogs beat 4A runner-up Fort Wayne South in the finals of their own tournament in December and downed 2A champion Evansville Mater Dei in the finals of the Hall of Fame Classic six days later. Bedford North Lawrence, which beat North in the regional semifinals, downed Fort Wayne South 54-51 Saturday to win the Class 4A state title and cap a 28-0 season.
The Bull Dogs did not play Class A champion Fort Wayne Canterbury, but the Cavaliers did play in North’s tournament and finished fifth.
Regional tickets available at North
Tickets for Saturday’s Seymour boys basketball regional are available in the North athletic office through the end of the school day Friday.
Pre-sale reserved tickets, which are good for both sessions, are $10. Single-session tickets will be available at the door for $7.
The Bull Dogs play Franklin Central in the first semifinal at 10 a.m. Saturday. Jeffersonville and Evansville Harrison play in the second semifinal, and the championship game will be at 8 p.m.
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