Is there a renaissance beginning in the sport of Indiana high school gymnastics?
That might be the case in Hamilton County. Fishers has started a team, and this new Tigers squad is already having quite a bit of success. Guerin Catholic has entered the sport, with an individual gymnast competing for the first time in IHSAA meets.
Both those schools competed in a Wednesday night meet at Noblesville East Middle School, the most appropriate place. The Millers have kept their team thriving for years, with talented athletes and a solid foundation. Lafayette Jefferson was also at the meet, along with individual gymnasts from Rossville and West Lafayette.
Fishers was the winner of the meet, scoring a strong 99.90 points. The Bronchos took second with 96.90, while Noblesville totaled its best score of the season with a 92.80.
The Tigers had their best performances on the vault, with all six of their gymnasts scoring at least an 8.00. Megan Jerrell had the top score with a 9.025, followed by Gianna DeWald with an 8.90. DeWald also led the way on the uneven bars, scoring an 8.70.
Jerrell, a junior, led the all-around scores for Fishers with a 33.80, while the senior DeWald totaled 33.65.
“I think they did very well,” said Fishers coach Susie Strange. She said that this was the first meet with all six of the Tigers’ gymnasts competing.
“This is our first year with this many girls,” said Strange. Her daughter Savannah Strange competed as an individual for the past two seasons; now she is part of a team.
“They’re bonding quite well,” said Susie Strange. DeWald and Ashlee Scarlett are the two seniors on the team.
The Millers honored their lone senior, Hailey Knoll at the meet. Her all-around total was 29.625, including an 8.20 on the vault.
Noblesville’s other two all-around gymnasts had solid scores as well. Charlotte Moise finished with a 32.40; her best results were 8.30s on the vault and floor exericse. Lyrric Barnett scored 30.775 and had the Millers’ highest score of the night by posting an 8.55 on vault.
“We’re close to the point of the season where everything starts to count from this point forward,” said Noblesville coach Jody Kiovsky. The coach said her team has a “fighting chance” to get out of the sectional this year, and her gymnasts are working towards that goal.
“They’re pushing hard at this point,” said Kiovsky. “They want it.”
Guerin Catholic’s Harleigh Abbott scored a 26.40 at the meet on Wednesday. Her best score was an 8.15 on the vault.
Noblesville and GC’s Abbott will compete Saturday at the Connersville Invitational, then they will join Fishers next Wednesday for a meet with Franklin Central at the Gymnastics Company in Indianapolis.
Team scores: Fishers 99.90, Lafayette Jefferson 96.90, Noblesville 92.80.
FISHERS SCORES
All-around scores: Megan Jerrell 33.80, 3. Gianna DeWald 33.65, Samanta Steinbahs 31.70, Savannah Strange 31.075, Stephanie Mack 28.50, Ashlee Scarlett 27.10.
Vault: Jerrell 9.025, DeWald 8.90, Strange 8.50, Steinbahs 8.45, Mack 8.25, Scarlett 8.00.
Uneven bars: DeWald 8.70, Jerrell 8.475, Strange 7.575, Steinbahs 7.40, Mack 5.375, Scarlett 5.225.
Balance beam: Jerrell 8.00, Steinbahs 7.975, DeWald 7.80, Mack 6.825, Strange 6.60, Scarlett 6.10.
Floor exercise: Strange 8.40, Jerrell 8.30, DeWald 8.25, Mack 8.10, Steinbahs 7.825, Scarlett 7.775.
NOBLESVILLE SCORES
All-around scores: Charlotte Moise 32.40, Lyrric Barnett 30.775, Hailey Knoll 29.625.
Vault: Barnett 8.55, Moise 8.30, Knoll 8.20, Sierra Graue 7.725, Jessica Tret 7.30.
Uneven bars: Barnett 7.55, Moise 7.525, Knoll 6.975.
Balance beam: Moise 8.275, Knoll 7.325, Barnett 6.725, Graue 5.10, Tret 4.00.
Floor exercise: Moise 8.30, Barnett 7.95, Knoll 7.125, Tret 6.40.
GUERIN CATHOLIC SCORE
All-around score: Harleigh Abbott: 26.40.
Vault: 8.15. Uneven bars: 4.525. Balance beam: 6.60. Floor exercise: 7.125.