Columbus North’s Emily Moore performs her state championship beam routine at the 2021 Gymnastics State Finals at Ball State’s Worthen Arena.
The Republic file photo
Although two of the top three gymnasts from last year did not return for their senior season, Columbus North has high hopes of finishing near the top of the podium at state this season.
Bob Arthur, who returns as co-coach after a one-year hiatus, joining new co-coach Kaitlyn Rediker, thinks the Bull Dogs could be as strong as they’ve been since they won state in 2016 and finished runner-up in 2017.
“It’s probably the best opportunity we’ve had in the last four years,” Arthur said. “We have some good hitters, and if they continue to improve on what they’re going right now, on that given day, it could be a coin toss on who has the better meet.”
Back to lead the team is state beam champion Emily Moore. The senior finished second in the all-around and third on the bars and floor at state last season.
“Emily has been just on the edge of winning the all-around championship all three years,” Arthur said. “She seems to be very motivated to continue to work hard and hopefully obtain that goal. The good thing is, she’s going strong. Sometimes, you wonder if a kid is just getting tired of it, but she seems to be going full strength for us.”
Moore has been pushed in practice by freshman Reece Euler.
“I think she’s going to be a big help for our team this year,” Rediker said. “She was out of the sport for a couple of years, but she’s highly motivated to get all of her skills back and is definitely going to have a strong impact for us.”
Junior Lindsey Mullis is the other varsity returner from last year’s team that finished sixth at state. Mullis was 29th at state in the all-around.
“They all have their strengths,” Arthur said. “Reece and Lindsey are both going to be there, and frankly, it could even be a tossup between Emily and Reece on some events, too. Reece is a very powerful vaulter, and she gets some real hang time up in the air on her vaults, where vault has been basically Emily’s Achilles at the state level. The nice thing is, having Reece in here has really pushed Emily and Lindsey to keep their game sharp.”
Junior Miriame Niang competed varsity in some meets last year. Junior Angie Villegas and sophomore Alli Chambers also return.
“Alli is highly motivated and has been from Day 1,” Arthur said. “She kind of came in last year to see how it was going to work out, and she’s been super motivated and enthusiastic about being here.”
Sophomore Laney Acton is back after missing last season with a broken ankle. She will be joined by freshmen Kaylie McCain, Ava Hatton and Arwyn Tian, along with Melissa Tilden, who will be out a few more weeks with a stress fracture in her back.
“They’re motivated to get new skills this year,” Rediker said. “Our goal is to stay injury free, and then be up there at state. Our goal is always to make it to state and then just to do the best that we can.”
North opens its season Jan. 5 at home against Franklin Central.
“I think we have a really good team dynamic this year,” Rediker said. “All the girls really get along. Our skills are really starting to progress, and I think we’re going to reach our full potential and have everything ready to go the first meet.”
