By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – The Noblesville gymnastics team hosted the IHSAA Sectional 2 on Saturday at Noblesville East Middle School, and things went well for the Millers.
Noblesville’s young team finished seventh in the standings with a score of 94.95. The top three teams advance to next weekend’s regional at Portage; Harrison was the sectional champion by scoring 106.40 points.
“This day was just a good day for these girls and what a way to finish the season,” said Millers coach Jody Ramey. The coach said her team was dealing with some minor injuries that had caused “a rough week with practices.”
“But we finished our practice last night beautifully, so we were able to come in today refreshed and feeling good about where we were,” said Ramey.
Noblesville looked solid throughout the meet. The Millers’ top place and score came in the balance beam event, where sophomore Keira Harper placed ninth with an 8.60.
Harper also had the top score in the vault with an 8.425 and the uneven bars with a 7.65. Freshman Lauren Paska led the way in the floor exercise, scoring an 8.175. Harper’s 32.30 made her the top all-around score for Noblesville.
After Harrison, the other teams advancing to the regional are Lapel, which fielded a full team for the first time, scoring 103.025 points. Lafayette Jefferson got the third spot by scoring 101.75 points.
“It didn’t work out this season, but we are definitely within reach,” said Ramey. “I have no seniors on this team. And all of them plan to come back next year. With that being said, we work over the summer, we definitely have a team that can advance come next year.”
Fishers sophomore Savannah Strange also competed at the sectional for the second time. Strange finished 18th in the all-around by scoring 31.75. Her best placing was 10th in the uneven bars, while her top score was an 8.25 in the vault.
“I think I did my best,” said Strange. “Better than last year.”
Lapel senior Madi Carpenter won the all-around with a score of 37.425 and won two individual events, the floor exercise (9.425) and uneven bars (9.25). Harrison’s Haiven Gipson was first in the vault (9.70) and the balance beam (9.45).
Team scores: Harrison 106.40, Lapel 103.025, Lafayette Jefferson 101.75, Logansport 99.375, Northwestern 98.525, Western 96.60, Noblesville 94.95, Southmont 89.25, Crawfordsville 82.375, North Montgomery 67.075, Tri-County 34.825, Fishers 31.75, Caston 26.00, Peru 25.45.
All-around scores: 16. Keira Harper (N) 32.30, 18. Savannah Strange (F) 31.75, 20. Lauren Paska (N) 31.65, 21. Hailey Knoll (N) 31.00.
Vault: 20. Harper (N) 8.425, T22. Strange (F) 8.25, 24. Knoll (N) 8.225, 31. Paska (N) 8.00, T33. Sierra Graue (N) 7.75.
Uneven bars: 10. Strange (F) 7.925, 16. Harper (N) 7.65, 18. Paska (N) 7.50, 21. Knoll (N) 7.375, 31. Lyrric Barnett (N) 6.00.
Balance beam: 9. Harper (N) 8.60, 17. Paska (N) 7.975, 23. Strange (F) 7.525, T25. Knoll (N) 7.275, 38. Barnett (N) 6.10.
Floor exercise: 18. Paska (N) 8.175, 20. Knoll (N) 8.125, 21. Strange (F) 8.05, 25. Harper (N) 7.625, 28. Barnett (N) 7.375.