Patriot tumblers begin with win

MARION — The Patriots opened the season on a high note.

Jay County High School’s gymnastics team began its year Thursday with a 99.275-49.1 win over the host Marion Giants.

It was more than three points higher than Jay County’s best team score score from all of last season.

Junior Karlie Bullard was the top gymnast for the Patriots, as she was first in three events on her way to the all-around title. She set career bests in vault (8.735), floor exercise (9.05) and balance beam (8.55) as she earned the top spot in all three. She added 7.75 on bars for a career-best 34.075 all around score.

Kenzie Ring, a freshman, began her high school career by scoring 8.6 on bars and floor to finish first and second respectively.

Ring added 8.35 on vault and 8.0 on beam as her all-around score of 33.55 was second.

Paige Howell set career bests on vault (8.4), floor (8.1), beam (6.7) and all-around (29.2). Rachel Louck’s 8.25 on beam was also a career high.



Stars fall to Tigers

BERNE — The South Adams swim teams both fell to the Bluffton Tigers on Thursday.

The girls lost 95-84 despite winning eight of the 12 events, and the SAHS boys dropped a 109-73 score.

Ashley LeFever and Olivia Von Gunten were both dual winners for the Starfire girls.

LeFever had the top spot in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, while Von Gunten had victories in the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle.

Julia Grabau (diving) and Bella Bailey (100 breaststroke) also had individual wins.

Hannah Neuenschwander, LeFever, Bailey and Von Gunten combined to win both the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.

In the boys competition, Zach Colpaert touched the wall first in both the 50 and 100 freestyle races, and Kam Yoder placed first in the 100 butterfly.

Trey Lehman, Curtis Sprunger, Yoder and Colpaert also teamed for victories in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays.



Tribe thumps Redskins

FORT RECOVERY — Four players reached double figures Thursday in a 60-31 win over the St. Henry Redskins at Fort Site Fieldhouse.

The Indians (7-1, 3-0 Midwest Athletic Conference) were tied with the Redskins (7-5, 1-2 MAC) at 10 after the first quarter before taking a 24-19 lead at halftime. Fort Recovery then exploded for 22 points in the third quarter while keeping St. Henry to just four, and built on the lead in the final eight minutes.

Carley Stone led all players with 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting. She also had four assists. Grace Thien was second on the team with 13 points, and Val Muhlenkamp chipped in a dozen points. Kiah Wendel joined them in double figures with 11 points, and Olivia Patch grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.

Fort Recovery returns to action at noon Saturday against Van Wert.



Jay C team loses

ANDERSON — Jay County’s basketball C team fell on Thursday to the Anderson Indians.

Jay County (2-5) had a narrow 5-4 lead after the first quarter but trailed 23-20 at halftime. The host Indians pushed the lead to 37-26 heading into the fourth quarter before pulling away down the stretch.

Gavin Lambert led the Patriot scoring effort with 10 points, and Jaron Alexander followed with eight points. Brian Williams tallied seven points as Sheldon Upp and Conner Tout both scored six points.