MUNCIE — The COVID-19 outbreak has wreaked havoc with sporting events across the nation and worldwide, but on Saturday, the Indiana high school Gymnastics State Finals went on.
While the Columbus North team fell just short for the second consecutive year of a spot on the medals podium, they didn’t come away empty-handed. Sophomore Emily Moore earned three medals, and senior Sami Heathcote captured the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award.
The fourth-ranked Bull Dogs finished fifth as a team with a 109.575, just 35-hundreths of a point behind Lake Central, who claimed the fourth and final spot on the podium. Chesterton won with a 112.25, followed by Valparaiso (111.55) and Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (110.05).
“The girls all went out there and gave it their best, and that’s all we could ask for,” North co-coach Bob Arthur said. “We has a few issues, but overall, it was a good day, so we had no big complaints.”
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Last year, the Bull Dogs missed the podium by 45-hundreths of a point.
“We know we could do better,” North co-coach Sandy Freshour said. “We’ve done better. It wasn’t our day. It’s just gymnastics. I don’t think that at any moment, kids aren’t trying to do their best. It’s just sometimes, best plays out and sometimes it doesn’t.”
Moore tied for second on the beam with a 9.575 and tied for third on the bars with a 9.375 on her way to placing fifth in the all-around competition with a 37.875.
Last year, Moore finished third in the all-around and won medals on three other events. Richmond sophomore Elizabeth Ruger won the all-around title with a 38.225.
“I was very proud of myself,” Moore said. “I’m excited for next year to do better.”
Heathcote just missed medaling on the floor. She tied for seventh with a 9.45. Sixth place was 9.475.
Meanwhile, Columbus East junior Taylen Lane competed as an individual on two events. She finished 32nd on the vault with a 9.0 and 34th on the beam with an 8.55.
“I didn’t do my best, which is always sad,” Lane said. “But especially with it being state and having the experience of coming here and everything, it was pretty good.”
Lane competed at the midway point of the 4 ½-hour meet on the vault and as the last competitor of the day on the beam.
“It was not her best, but when you’re sitting as an individual, it’s real tough to do an individual thing,” East coach Nancy Kirshman said. “When you’re sitting there for an hour-and-a-half before you go on the first event, it’s hard as an individual. When you’re not here with your team, it’s tough sitting that long. But you learn from experience and see what you have to do to make it better for the next year.”
