Columbus North’s Hayden Harper performs on the beam against Columbus East Jan. 12 at Columbus East High School.
Tommy Walker | For The Republic
It seems to be a two-horse race for the gymnastics regional title on Friday between Columbus North and New Palestine — on paper at least.
For the Bull Dogs to bring the regional title home, they need to avoid the uncharacteristic stumbles and falls when they travel to Franklin Central for the regional, which is where the sectional was held Friday.
North’s sectional score of 104.75 was much lower than their best score of the season. New Palestine won the Connersville Sectional with a 107.2.
“We’re hoping we can get (the regional) on Friday,” North coach Bob Arthur said. “Us and New Palestine split the season. We beat them in one dual meet, and they beat us in a meet, as well.”
The saving grace for the Bull Dogs in the sectional was on the beam. North was third overall as a team heading into the final event, but then jumped Noblesville and Roncalli to win the title. Hayden Harper and Ellie McIntier finished first and second, respectively, on the beam.
Harper and Hannah Perry had very rare miscues in the sectional. Each had a fall on the vault, and Perry had to drop on the bars a few times because of the grip. Harper finished third in the all-around with a 35.7, and Perry was ninth in the all-around with a 33.425.
Arthur is confident both will bounce back for the regional meet.
“Hayden had a fall on vault, and with Hannah, it was more about the grip. She had a hard time gripping the bars, which is why she dropped off a few times, so she could re-grip,” Arthur said. “We hope we got that figured out now, and they will be ready to go.”
Columbus East’s Bethany Lewis performs during the floor against Columbus North Jan. 12 at Columbus East High School.
Tommy Walker | For The Republic
Meanwhile, Columbus East will have two gymnasts competing as individuals. Bethany Lewis is primed to qualify for the state meet after winning the all-around competition at Friday’s sectional with a 35.775. She won the floor (9.3) and finished second on the vault (9.05) and third on the bars (8.825). Kai Scott also will compete for the Olympians on the beam and floor.
The top three teams and six individuals overall qualify for the state meet, and the top three individuals on each event and the all-around on a non-advancing team qualify for the state finals March 14 at Ball State.
