Gymnastics sectional: Rookie Tigers advance to the regional

By RICHIE HALL
LAFAYETTE – The fact that Fishers was competing at the Lafayette Jefferson gymnastics sectional was a big occasion in itself, as this is the first season the Tigers had fielded a full team.
But Fishers took it even further Friday at the Bronchos’ Dennis Blind Gymnasium. The Tigers finished third at the sectional, which means they will get to compete at the Valparaiso regional next Saturday, March 5. A big occasion has now turned into an historic one.
“I’m very proud,” said Fishers coach Susie Strange. “I’m very excited for my team. It’s been a lot of trial and tribulations, but we’ve succeeded and they’ve really done a really good job.”
The Tigers scored 102.775 points to take the third spot. Harrison won the sectional championship with a score of 105.525 points, and host Lafayette Jeff was second with 103.40 points.
Fishers had scores in the 26 range in three of the four events. The Tigers’ best rotation was in vault, where they totaled 26.825 points. Megan Jerrell led the way with a 9.25, Fishers’ highest score of the night. That gave her fourth place, the best finish of the night for the Tigers. It also got Jerrell a ribbon, as those go to the top six in each event.
Senior Gianna Dewald picked up two event ribbons, placing sixth in the uneven bars and the balance beam. Dewald also got an extra ribbon for finishing sixth in the all-around. Her four-event total was 34.825 points. Dewald also scored a 9.05 on vault, good for seventh place.
“It feels really great,” said Dewald. “I’m actually really proud of us. We worked really hard to get where we are and I’m really proud of us as a team.”
“We’ve had some personal bests,” said Strange. “We’ve had some new skills that we performed tonight for the very first time. And hopefully we have some other things up our sleeves for regional.”
In other words, Fishers is happy to be going to the regional, but the Tigers don’t want to stop there. Six teams compete at the regional, with Valparaiso hosting the top three from Lafayette Jeff and the top three from Chesterton. Then, the top three teams at the regional will advance to the state finals, which take place March 12 at Ball State University’s Worthen Arena.
“We’ll do some practicing and up our skills and hopefully do even better at regionals,” said Strange.
MILLERS PLACE SIXTH
Noblesville had a good night at the sectional, finishing in sixth place with a score of 93.65.
The Millers’ young gymnasts were solid, with sophomore Lyric Barnett getting her team’s highest score and place of the night: An 11th-place result on the vault with an 8.65.
Noblesville had its best score on the vault, with a team total of 25.125 points. The Millers also were strong on the floor exercise with a 24.775. Freshman Charlotte Moise scored an 8.425, while senior Hailey Knoll scored an 8.325. Moise tied her season-high floor score, while Knoll earned her season high.
“Honestly, we had a wonderful day,” said Noblesville coach Jody Kiovsky. The coach was also happy with her team’s balance beam performance, where the Millers totaled a 23.825. Moise and Barnett both delivered “beam sticks” for Noblesville.
“Our floor scores were pretty solid and consistent,” said Kiovsky. “We had a good, solid beam day. We had season-highs for floor all over the place, bouncing back to floor.”
Moise had the highest all-around score with a 31.75, with Barnett right behind her at 31.675.
“I’ve enjoyed this team and enjoyed just being able to bring it home with a good sectional, and was really proud of where we ended today,” said Kiovsky.
Guerin Catholic’s Harleigh Abbott also competed, scoring a 27.45. Abbott’s best result was on the vault, where she scored an 8.25.

Team scores: Harrison 105.525, Lafayette Jefferson 103.40, Fishers 102.775, Logansport 99.40, Lapel 99.15, Noblesville 93.65, Southmont 91.975, Northwestern 88.10, Crawfordsville 84.975, North Montgomery 82.50, Western 79.275, McCutcheon 57.75, Frankton 37.10, West Lafayette 35.55, Peru 33.475, Caston 29.275, Rossville 28.95, Guerin Catholic 27.45.
All-around scores: 6. Gianna Dewald (F) 34.825, 7. Megan Jerrell (F) 34.80, 13. Savannah Strange (F) 33.15, 23. Charlotte Moise (N) 31.75, 24. Lyrric Barnett (N) 31.675, 26. Hailey Knoll (N) 30.225, 34. Harleigh Abbott (GC) 27.45.
Vault: 4. Jerrell (F) 9.25, 7. Dewald (F) 9.05, T11. Barnett (N) 8.65, T16. Strange (F) 8.525, T20. Samantha Steinbahs (F) 8.45, 29. Moise (N) 8.275, T30. Knoll (N) 8.25; Abbott (GC) 8.25, T38. Sierra Graue (N) 7.85.
Uneven bars: 6. Dewald (F) 8.00, 10. Strange (F) 7.85, 13. Jerrell (F) 7.475, 20. Moise (N) 7.025, 26. Barnett (N) 6.725, 28. Steinbahs (F) 6.40, 30. Knoll (N) 6.00, 40. Abbott (GC) 5.15.
Balance beam: 6. Dewald (F) 8.95, 7. Jerrell (F) 8.925, 15. Strange (F) 8.625, T20. Steinbahs (F) 8.275; Barnett (N) 8.275, 28. Moise (N) 8.025, 33. Knoll (N) 7.65, 44. Abbott (GC) 6.425, 45. Graue (N) 6.30.
Floor exercise: 7. Jerrell (F) 9.15, 14. Dewald (F) 8.825, T18. Moise (N) 8.425, 24. Knoll (N) 8.325, 25. Strange (F) 8.15, T26. Barnett (N) 8.025, 36. Abbott (GC) 7.625, 44. Jessica Tret (N) 7.10, 46. Ashlee Scarlett (F) 6.95.