Patriots 2nd at New Castle (01/29/07)

NEW CASTLE - Once already this year the Patriots put up their best score of the season, only to lose to a state-ranked squad. The same scenario played out Saturday.

Jay County's gymnastics team put up a season high 97.95 at a four-team meet at New Castle, but finished second to the 15th-ranked host Trojans (102.375).

Richmond was a close third with 95.3 while Blackford finished last with 70.775. The meet also included Katie Cragun of Eastbrook.

The previous top score for the Patriots was set Jan. 8 in a loss to No. 8 Carroll.

The best Jay County finish in the varsity competition was third place. Gymnasts from New Castle won three out of four events, and Kietsten Baumgartner of Richmond took the win on the floor exercise.

Freshman Nadlie Runyon led the Patriots, posting the team's best effort with an 8.3 for third place on the balance beam. She also tied junior teammate Erika Hunt for fourth on the vault at 8.45, and had the No. 4 all-around score at 33.1.

Senior Lacey Thornburg placed fourth on the uneven bars with an 8.2, and Hunt's 8.05 was good for fifth. Kristin Brown was sixth in a pair of events with an 8.5 on the floor exercise and an 8.2 on the beam.

Also scoring for Jay County were Kendra Homan (sixth - 8.25) on the vault, Runyon (seventh - 8.35) and Jenny Buckland (ninth - 8.0) on the floor, Runyon (seventh - 8.0) on the bars and Buckland (12th - 7.2) on the beam.

Junior varsity

Stormi Metcalf gave Jay County its lone victory of the day.

Metcalf shared first place on the JV vault with Ashley Lacy of New Castle as each finished with a 7.65. She also placed second on the beam at 5.75.

Kendra Homan was second on the beam at 6.6, followed by teammate Samantha Turner in third at 6.45. Rachel McKinley added a third-place effort behind Metcalf on the beam with a 5.35.[[In-content Ad]]