Saving their best for last

FORT WAYNE — The youthful Patriots picked the best time to turn in their highest score of the season.

And the team’s lone senior had one of the best meets of her career.

Jay County High School’s gymnastics team posted the most points it had all year in taking seventh in the IHSAA gymnastics sectional Saturday at Concordia.

“We worked hard on trying to perfect the execution in their routines the week of sectional,” first-year JCHS?coach Melynda James said. “Everything they worked on played out in sectionals, increasing their team score and individual score.

“The girls gave 100% at practice and it showed during sectional. (Assistant coach) Shelby (Pryor)?and I are very proud of everything they accomplished.”

Fourth-ranked Homestead, led by sophomore standout Gina Zirille, scored 110.525 points to win its third straight sectional championship. No. 7 Bishop Dwenger scored 109.975 for second and Carroll scored 106.650.

Jay County earned 85.65, beating its previous season-best score of 82.275 it set on?Jan. 28 in its only home meet of the season.

The top three teams and top six individuals advance to the regional meet, which is set for noon Saturday at Huntington North.

Senior Kenzie Ring earned a season-best 8.775 on balance beam to place 10th overall, the highest place for any Patriot on the day. She had the team’s only no-fall routine on the apparatus, although she lost her balance a couple times before managing to compose herself and stay on.

“I learned to bend my knees and keep my chest up so I can stay on the beam easier whenever I’m falling,” Ring said of how she was able to stay up. “That helped a lot.”

Ring also scored 8.35 on floor exercise, placing 21st in the event. She had the same place on uneven bars with her score of 7.625, and had 8.35 (26th) on vault for a 33.05 all-around total, which was 14th.

“Kenzie did an excellent job of showing off her advanced skills,” James said. “She did an excellent job perfecting her beam routine.?Typically gymnasts show nerves, especially during sectionals, but she landed each skill with confidence.”

Macy Miller scored 8.425 on vault as she was 23rd on the event. She also earned an 8.0 on floor (23rd), 7.8 (22nd) on beam and 6.925 on bars (25th). Her all-around score of 31.15 was 20th.

“Macy had a great day as well,”?James said.

Also competing for Jay on vault were Makinsey Murphy (8.35) and Erin?Ring (8.025); Lilly Rogers (5.125)?and Murphy (6.15)?on beam; and Erin?Ring (6.95)?and Rogers (6.875)?on floor.

Zirille repeated as sectional champion in all four events and the all-around. She had 9.75 on both vault and floor, 9.65 on bars and 9.45 on beam. Her all-around total was 38.6.