Season ends at regional (03/08/08)

The Patriots turned in some solid performances. But up against three of the top 11 schools in the state, their season came to and end.

Jay County finished fifth in the six-team regional field Friday at Huntington North, and had a top individual event finish of ninth.

Only the top two teams and top six individuals in each event advance to the state finals.

"I think we had, in many ways, at least as good a meet as we did last Saturday," said JCHS coach Kristin Millspaugh. "We had a few things that maybe weren't quite as good, but I thought we had a few things that we better. So I was really happy with the routines ... and I think they felt pretty good about the routines they did."

Scores were significantly lower than a week earlier in sectional competition as Jay County finished fifth at 96.075, more than five points less than their sectional championship total. No. 3 Bishop Dwenger ran away with the meet at 108, and Concordia took the second qualifying spot at 104.

They were followed by Snider (102.125), Marion (97.325), the Patriots and Huntington North (94.8.).

Hannah Osborn of Concordia took the all-around title at 38.225. She also won the vault (9.65) and uneven bars (9.55).

Other event winners were Brittany Fisher of Muncie Southside on the balance beam (9.55) and Bishop Dwenger's Alicia Roche on the floor exercise (9.8).

Freshman Kristen Ainsworth led JCHS, turning in the top individual finish on the beam. Adding a pair of bonus jumps this week in practice, she turned in a no-fall routine for a ninth-place 8.65.

Lacy Raef of Wapahani and Hillary Strock of Northrop tied for the final state qualifying spot at 8.95.

Ainsworth also added a pair of Giants on the bars, where she also led the team with an 18th-place 8.025.

"Kristen added some things and really she did very well under pressure," said Millspaugh of the freshman, who was also 21st on the vault at 8.4, 21str on the floor at 7.85 and 12th in the all-around at 32.925. "She made the things that she put in. That shows great potential."

Senior Erika Hunt, who put her named in the Jay County record book last week as the No. 4 all-around gymnast in school history, matched Ainsworth with a 32.925 for 12th in the all-around. Her top placing came on the floor with an 8.625 for 12th place.

She was also 17th on the vault (8.55), 19th on the bars (7.95) and 23rd on the beam (7.8).

Fellow seniors Kendra Homan and Kayci Ryder closed out their careers on the vault (22nd - 8.3) and floor (30th - 6.8) respectively.

"(Erika's) attitude is always so team focused," said Millspaugh of Hunt, who put up a 35.4 all-around total to lead the Patriots to the sectional title. "Last week she knew we needed her, as a team, to have a great day. And she came through and had a great day. ... She has her best day when the team needs her to. That kinds of defines Erika.

"All three seniors probably did everything they could have done today. They should feel really good about the meet that we had."

Jenny Buckland scored on three events for JCHS, placing 25th on both the beam and floor with identical scores of 7.6 and 28th on the bars (6.725).

Lexie Rowles scored an 8.25 on the vault, Stormi Metcalf had a 5.8 on the bars and freshman Kyli Kelso turned in the lone career-best score of the night with a 7.5 on the balance beam.

"I was really happy for Kyli," said Millspaugh. "As a freshman, for her to fall so badly last week (during sectional warm-ups for the balance beam) and for her to be able to get up there and do everything - and she added a bonus jump and made it - was a big comeback today."[[In-content Ad]]