EIAC gymnasts conclude season at regional
INDIANAPOLIS – The Rushville Lady Lions were one of six complete teams competing at Friday night’s Franklin Central gymnastics regional hoping to make it one step farther to the state finals. The Rush County girls gave it their best shot but came in sixth with a score of 93.675. Bloomington North won the meet with 108.625, followed by fellow state qualifiers Columbus North and New Palestine.
“RCHS is proud to have been represented by our Lady Lions,” said head coach Jenni Philpot. “Each of the girls had a great meet. Thank you to the huge group of fans at all our meets this year.”
Bell Westphal secured the highest score and finish for Rushville on the evening, her vault of 8.85 good for 11th on the apparatus. Westphal placed 12th in all-around with a total of 33.05; she was 18th on uneven bars (7.8), 22nd on balance beam (8.1) and the same on floor exercise (8.3).
Cora Emory and Cyndi Tush were among the top 20 girls competing in every rotation as Emory placed 17th (31.325 total) and Tush 19th (28.15).
Emory outscored her personal sectional scores on vault (23rd; 8.55), beam (20th; 8.3) and floor (21st; 8.375). Tush did so on bars (31st; 5.525). Emory’s bar routine netted 29th place (6.1). Tush added 27th on vault (8.3) and 30th on both beam (6.55) and floor (7.775).
Mallory McDaniel outperformed her sectional marks on bars (28th; 6.325), beam (29th; 6.65) and floor (28th; 8.025).
Karma Wilson competed on vault, scoring 31st with 7.75 or slightly better than her sectional tally. Gabby Pavey was also in attendance at Rushville’s first team trip to regionals since 1998.
Audrey Harper of Franklin County also competed at every regional rotation, claiming 18th in all around (30.675). The junior was 25th on bars (6.9), tied for 26th on floor (8.2), 27th on beam (7.675) and 30th on vault (7.9).