Western’s gymnastics team celebrated its 10th sectional title under coach Margie Lea last weekend.
The team is as healthy as it’s been in years, Lea said, as it heads into the today’s regional round at Harrison High School at 6:30 p.m.
Good thing.
The Harrison Regional pits the top three teams from the Harrison Sectional (Western, Logansport, Harrison) against the top three from the Lawrence Central Sectional (defending runner-up Roncalli, Franklin Central, Lawrence Central). All three Lawrence Central qualifiers scored at least four points higher than Western (103.425) in the sectional round, led by Roncalli’s 110.8.
On paper, it appears the Panthers will need an inspired performance to finish in the top two, which receive bids to the State Finals on March 20 at Perry Meridian High School.
“We are looking to get as many individuals on to state as we can,” Lea said. “We know that these teams we will meet up with are very strong. We are realistic. We’ve talked this year about winning isn’t everything, but putting forth the effort to win is. I think that’s all you can really ask of yourself.”
The top six individuals in the all-around, as well as each event, advance to the State Finals as well.
Leading the Panthers will be sophomore Corinna Cottingham, who scored a 36.2 to win the all-around in sectional competition, taking top honors in the uneven bars (36.2) and second in the vault.
Senior Casey Herr took sixth in the all-around after a competition that included a second-place showing in the balance beam and a third-place finish in the floor exercise.
Junior Whitney Worl rounded out the top three for Western, taking seventh in the all-around.
“They need to have very fluid routines where they don’t miss a beat,” Lea said. “They need to be confident in themselves. We’ve practiced on lots and lots of routines this week, trying to get to the point where it’s second nature. And we hope that that practice translates into a successful regional. ”
Alleca Kerker, Taylor Dukes, Cassei Russell, Jessie Meeks and Chelseigh Kirchgessner round out the Panther roster.
Sports
GYMNASTICS: WHS faces loaded regional field
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