With Katrina May placing second in the individual all-around, the Columbus North gymnastics team locked up a sectional championship Friday night at Columbus East High School.
May recorded a 38.25 score to place behind all-around champ Anna Watkin of Owen Valley. Watkin had a 38.7.
North won the meet with 113.4 points.
Also having a terrific night were the Olympians, who managed to extend their season with a third-place finish. East had to overcome the loss of star freshman Adi Minor, but still finished third with 108.275 points.
East sophomore Becca Bryan triumphed in the floor exercise with a 9.75 to lead an inspired team effort.
Besides May, the Bull Dogs were sparked by sophomore Ashley Holliday and freshman Claire Thompson. Holliday placed third in the all-around with 37.85 while Thompson was fifth at 37.3 points.
“I could not be more proud of the kids,” North coach Sandy Freshour said. “We weren’t perfect tonight, but we were definitely moving toward where we set a goal to move. It’s our best team score, so that’s just huge. The girls did as well as they could at this point.”
Bryan was fifth in the all-around with 37.8 points, leading the Olympians to next Friday’s regional.
East senior Jaycie Jaggers, junior Seena Greiwe and freshman Andrea Stattenfield were all called upon to step up in Minor’s absence, and each contributed throughout the night, filling in the second and third scoring spots for East.
“We did a good job,” East coach Nancy Kirshman said. “They worked hard to score what they did. It’s a good score without Adi in there.”
Seymour also competed in the Columbus East sectional, wrapping up its season with a sixth-place finish with 101.125 points.
Alyssa Goen, the Owls’ top individual competitor for the evening, will advance to the regional on beam after a fourth-place finish with 9.2 points.
“We had a fantastic sectional,” Seymour coach Angie Mellencamp said. “The girls scored the highest score that they’ve gotten all season. They all did great. Alyssa led the team, she did great. The girls really came in focus and had a clean beam routine to start.”
For the Bull Dogs and the Olympians, Friday’s sectional championship was just the beginning of what they hope to accomplish before the season is over.
“We did our work well, and we have another week to go, and we’ve got a good chance of moving on from there,” Kirshman said.
“Our goals are just to keep getting a little bit better and a little bit better, and to give the competition at regionals and state a good run,” Freshour said.
Bloomington South’s Megan Oyler won the vault in 9.65. North’s Holliday triumphed in the uneven bars in 9.65.
Watkin took first in the beam at 9.75 and Bryan was the champion on the floor exercise.
East hosts Friday’s regional.
