Pats down 'Cats (02/10/05)

MUNCIE — After suffering its first dual meet loss Monday, to sectional rival Delta, the Jay County gymnastics team was able to bounce back Wednesday.

The two-time defending sectional champion Patriots went to the tournament site and got back above the century mark by clobbering the Muncie Central Bearcats 100.675-75.9.

Jay County dominated the meet, sweeping the top three spots in every event. In fact, it took the top six scores in every event but the floor exercise, where Muncie Central’s Jara Rowe was fifth.

Hannah Williams grabbed three of the four victories for the Patriots especially dominating the floor. She posted the second best score of her career, finishing with a 9.65.

He score was more than a full point better than any other competitor.

“She nailed the double-back,” said Jay County coach Kristin Millspaugh of the end to Williams’ first tumbling pass. “She’s getting a lot more consistent ... and finally figuring out when the floor might be coming.”

Williams added winning efforts on the balance beam and the vault with scores of 9.075 and 8.75 respectively.

Senior Makenzie Knight secured the other victory for the Patriots she won the uneven parallel bars with a 7.95.

Freshman Erika Hunt came up with a pair of second-place finishes, securing herself an all-around spot at the Olympic Athletic Conference meet Saturday where Jay County will be trying to break into host Connersville’s run of 14 titles in the last 15 years.

Hunt was second to Williams on the beam with an 8.2, and matched teammate Kristin Brown with an 8.4 on the floor.

“We really pushed for her to throw a full in her floor routine tonight ...” said Millspaugh. “She nailed it. She gained a lot of confidence. ...

“She’s coming along kind of like we figured she would once she got some experience.”

Melissa Fifer and Lacey Thornburg finished off the scoring for the Patriots with a couple of third-place efforts. Thornburg notched an 8.3 on the vault, and Fifer had and 8.05 on the floor.[[In-content Ad]]