Bloomington North gymnastics back in the top seven at state
MUNCIE — For the second year in a row, Bloomington North’s gymnastics team ended the season as one of the seven best teams in the state.
That’s a long way removed from a program that didn’t even make it out of sectional in 2019.
Back-to-back elite eight finishes is a good feat in any sport, and for the Cougars, it was another season for the recordbooks, winning the first regional in 42 years, again raising the bar for the program.
“We knew that we deserved a spot here,” North sophomore Sofie Garcia said.
North finished with a 104.825 at Saturday’s IHSAA State Finals at Ball State’s Worthen Arena.
“I think they did fantastic today,” North coach Alena Wray said. “We didn’t have any issues. They got a little nervous here and there at the biggest meet of the season, but that’s going to happen. Hopefully, if we make it next year, we’ll fix the nerves situation and keep moving forward.”
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The run started with this year’s seniors, led by state performers Hope Taylor and Maddie Rich and the injured Sarah Goldsworthy. With a strong set of sophomores and juniors returning, North will expect to be back again.
“They made huge accomplishments carrying the team and we’re going to miss them next year,” Wray said. “We still have a lot of depth, but it’s going to be tough without half the team.”
By the numbers
The Cougars scored a 27.15 on vault, 25.6 on bars and beam and a 26.475 on floor.
North had a tough rotation, starting off on beam, perhaps the hardest event to shake off the state jitters, then finishing on one of the most physically demanding events, bars, to end a four-hour high-stress meet.
“Beam makes it shaky,” Wray said. “Again, the nerves. But we had a good meet. They went out there and did what they could. They definitely upped some of their skills and I’m extremely proud of them today.”
A year’s worth of state experience coming in made a difference.
“It was a lot less stressful,” Garcia said. “Last year, since it was my first year, I didn’t know what to expect, so it was really stressful last year.
“I was used to how exhausting it is this year. I know that I have to eat and keep my energy up.”
Garcia was North’s only all-arounder, scoring 35.325 for 18th. Her best finish was on bars, placing 15th at 8.875 and her best score came on floor, with a 9.0 tying for 28th. She also had an 8.95 on floor to tie for 24th.
“It was very exciting, especially getting the opportunity to compete all-around,” Garcia said. “We were glad we made it again. We expected it, but winning regionals was a lot of fun, too.
“We didn’t have our best meet but it was good we were a team and we were all here together.”
Taylor tied for 16th on vault (9.3), was 21st on bars (8.45) and 23rd on floor (8.975). Junior Jessica Floyd led the way on beam, 25th in 8.65. Claire Dann had an 8.85 on vault and Hannah Abel an 8.275 on bars.
“They finished extremely strong,” Wray said. “Especially having vault third and bars last because we had Claire flip a vault for the first time today and then, of course, bars is one of the hardest events strength-wise.
“They were all extremely tired and I told them, ‘Let’s power through it, let make it done and go home.”
South duo makes most of it
Senior Mia Langley and junior Maddie Kawanishi soaked in every second of the weekend in their first trips to the finals.
“It was definitely one of my biggest goals,” Langley said. “And I was really happy to be able to be here.”
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Kawanishi said. “It’s just like, I never thought we’d make it to state and we’re here.”
Being rookies at the state meet is never easy.
“I think they handled it beautifully,” South coach Michelle Stroud said. “(Warmups) might have thrown her off a little bit because she got to go once, then had to wait 15 minutes.
“Maddie handled the pressure fine. She was a little sad last night because she realized this was her last meet of the season and she loves this team. But she performed great. She had a great routine. I’m not thrilled with the score, but it is what it is.”
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Langley made it to state on beam and scored an 8.275. Langley was with North in the first rotation on beam, so she had to be on her game right away.
“It’s definitely different,” Langley said. “The only thing I could hear was the floor music. But it was fun.
“All season I’ve been drilling beam routine and beam routine and still never expected to make it to state on beam. So I was glad that I practiced so much.”
Floor time
Kawanishi hit the floor in the second rotation, finishing with an 8.875 and handling her nerves when the lights came on.
“I was having a little trouble yesterday, taking it all in,” Kawanishi said. “But today it was fine. I put it all aside and went out there.”
The experience could prove helpful if she makes it back as a senior.
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“It means a lot,” Kawanishi said. “I’ve also thought about it as memories I’m going to have forever and be able to tell my kids. I just love it.”
Her coach expects she’ll get a return engagement.
“I think she needed that, for her own, I don’t want to say confidence, but sort of,” Stroud said. “Because I don’t think she realizes what she’s capable of sometimes, but then she does it and then it literally hits her. Oh, I can do this.
“So I think it was really good for her to see that this is the potential that you have. I know that there’s more in there.”
Last rotation for Stroud
South’s coach announced her retirement at the beginning of the season. She took over when long-time coach Leisa Jones stepped down and bookended Langley and Kawanishi’s appearance with the state qualifying 2017 squad.
“She said she started her career with a team that went to state and it was really nice to end it with two people going to state,” Langley said. “We’re just really happy for her.”
“They’ve had a really good time,” Stroud said. “What better way for Mia as a senior to end her high school career at state.”
Valpo wins again
Vaplaraiso extended its record for state team titles to 14 with a 112.35 to top Homestead (111.625) and defending champ Crown Point (109.5). Columbus North (106.85) took fourth by only a .525 margin.
Valparaiso’s Gabriella Grisafi (38.025) was the all-around champ and also won beam.
IHSAA STATE GIRLS' GYMNASTICS MEET
TEAM SCORES: 1. Valparaiso 112.35; 2. Homestead 111.625; 3. Crown Point 109.5; 4. Columbus North 106.85; 5. Lake Central 106.325; 6. FW Bishop Dwenger 106.15; 7. Bloomington North 104.825; 8. FW Carroll 102.7; 9. New Palestine 100.6.
Individual results
VAULT: 1. Jillian Creager, Home, 9.725; T2. Gabriella Grisafi, V, 9.625; Elly Kiran, CP, 9.625; T16. Hope Taylor, BN, 9.3; T28. Sofia Garcia, BN, 9.0; 37. Claire Dann, BN, 8.85; T40. Jessica Floyd, BN, 8.7.
BARS: 1. Gianna Zirille, Home, 9.7; 2. Reece Euler, CN, 9.475; 3. Grisafi, V, 9.45; 15. Garcia, BN, 8.875; 21. Taylor, BN, 8.45; T24. Hannah Abel, BN, 8.275; T33. Maddie Rich, BN, 7.9.
BEAM: 1. Grisafi, V, 9.625; 2. Zirille, Home, 9.55; 3. Molly Dreher, V, 9.475; 25. Floyd, BN, 8.65; 29. Garcia, BN, 8.5; 30. Dann, BN, 8.45; 32. Mia Langley, BSouth, 8.275; 38. Rich, BN, 7.9.
FLOOR: 1. Zirille, Home, 9.55; 2. Sydney Black, LC, 9.5; 3. Kiran, CP, 9.475; 23. Taylor, BN, 8.975; T24. Garcia, BN, 8.95; 29. Maddie Kawanishi, BSouth, 8.875; T39. Floyd, BN, 8.55; Dann, BN, 8.55.
ALL-AROUND: 1. Grisafi, V, 38.025; 2. Zirille, Home, 37.8; 3. Creager, Home, 37.775; 18. Garcia, BN, 35.325.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington North gymnastics back in the top seven at state
