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Harrison gymnastics wins fourth consecutive IHSAA sectional

clay maxfield
·4 min read

LAFAYETTE − Top spot on the podium, sectional trophy in chalk-covered hands — for Harrison High School’s varsity gymnastics team, this is becoming a familiar sight.

The Raiders won their fourth IHSAA Sectional Championship in a row on Saturday at Lafayette Jeff High School.

Harrison gymnastics pose for a photo after winning their fourth IHSAA Sectional Championship in a row, Saturday Feb. 25, 2023, at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind.
Harrison gymnastics pose for a photo after winning their fourth IHSAA Sectional Championship in a row, Saturday Feb. 25, 2023, at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind.

The Raiders edged Lafayette Jeff 102.300-102.175 to place atop the 18 competing squads.

Coming into Saturday, junior Micah Wright knew what her teammates needed to clinch four sectional titles in a row.

“This year, we knew we would have to bring our A game and step it up," Wright said, "and that’s what we did.”

Wright did her fair share of the heavy lifting, finishing at the top in bars, floor routine and all-around, while placing second in vault.

Micah Wright, center, finished first in bars, floor routine and all-around in the IHSAA Sectional Championships Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind.
Micah Wright, center, finished first in bars, floor routine and all-around in the IHSAA Sectional Championships Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind.

While individual successes have provided considerable reasons to celebrate, the culture of Raider gymnastics is built on a collective approach to daily practices, senior Madi Laffoon said.

“We all practice so hard,” Laffoon said. “We put 110% into every single practice we go to, and it’s just being able to balance the physical aggression on some events, being able to mentally prepare yourself for some other events. Finding that good balance is what really makes you a successful team.”

Junior Sophie Ball finished as an individual qualifier for the Valparaiso regional next weekend after placing in the top six in vault and floor routine.

Harrison's Sophie Ball takes flight during her floor routine at the IHSAA Sectional Championship, Feb. 25, 2023 at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind. Ball placed in the top six in vault and floor routine.
Harrison's Sophie Ball takes flight during her floor routine at the IHSAA Sectional Championship, Feb. 25, 2023 at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind. Ball placed in the top six in vault and floor routine.

Even as top gymnasts graduate year in and year out, the Raiders have maintained a standard of excellence with new athletes stepping up.

“I think they kind of knew that they have to step it up as each senior graduates,” Harrison coach Judie Malone said. “They know they have to improve their skill level in each event and really, we have great sportsmanship among our team. Very supportive of each other and they work hard in the offseason to help for the next competitive season.”

Harrison continues to add sectional trophies as gymnasts such as Laffoon represent the ongoing culture of winning.

“I’m just in awe because I never thought I would end up being such a big role model to so many little girls," Laffoon said. "This sport is everything to me and to see so many other girls want to do the same thing, that just makes my feel so fulfilled.”

Other area standouts moving on to Valparaso next weekend include: West Lafayette’s Audrey Biddle in vault and bars; and Natalia Choncoa of Lafayette Jeff, finishing in the top six in vault and floor.

McCutcheon's Emma Spear and Marian French prepare for the bars event, during the IHSAA Sectional Championships at Lafayette Jeff High School, Feb. 25, 2023.
McCutcheon's Emma Spear and Marian French prepare for the bars event, during the IHSAA Sectional Championships at Lafayette Jeff High School, Feb. 25, 2023.

Choncoa wasn’t the only Broncho earning top honors. Amelia Martin placed first in beam and third in the floor routine.

IHSAA Sectional Championships

Harrison 102.300, Lafayette Jeff 102.175, Westfield 99.850, Logansport 96.975, Northwestern 96.925, Western 94.425, Southmont 87.850, Crawfordsville 86.425, North Montgomery 83.350, Fishers 81.350, Lapel 65.900, Noblesville 54.825, McCutcheon 54.250, Peru 41.500, West Lafayette 34.575, Maconaquah 33.025, Guerin Catholic 31.675, Caston 28.750, Faith Christian 15.250.

Vault – 1. Audrey Biddle (West Lafayette) 9.575, 2. Micah Wright (Harrison) 9.475, 3. Anna Perry (Northwestern) 8.95, 4. Sophie Ball (Harrison) 8.95, 5. Natalia Choncoa (Lafayette Jeff) 8.9, 6. Elizabeth Stern (Lapel) 8.85

Floor – 1. Micah Wright (Harrison) 9.3, 2. Molly Moskovitz (Westfield) 9.25, 3. Amelia Martin (Lafayette Jeff) 8.975, 4. Natalia Choncoa (Lafayette Jeff) 8.9, 5. Sophie Ball (Harrison) 8.775, 6. Myleigh Carpenter (Lapel) 8.775

Beam – 1. Amelia Martin (Lafayette Jeff) 9.2, 2. Myleigh Carpenter (Lapel) 9.075, 3. Elianna Reynolds (Westfield) 9.0, 4. Lexi Brown (Logansport) 8.875, 5. Samara Sims (Northwestern) 8.8.750  6. Sophie Ball (Harrison) 8.750

Bars – 1. Micah Wright (Harrison) 8.600, 2. Audrey Biddle (West Lafayette) 8.375, 3. Samara Sims (Northwestern) 8.200, 4. Elianna Reynolds (Westfield) 8.175, 5. Rylee Zimmerman (Logansport) 8.000, 6. Anna Perry (Northwestern) 7.900

All Around – 1. Micah Wright (Harrison) 35.625, 2. Audrey Biddle (West Lafayette) 34.575, 3. Amelia Martin (Lafayette Jeff) 34.575, 4. Elianna Reynolds (Westfield) 34.125, 5. Natalia Choncoa (Lafayette Jeff) 34.100, 6. Samara Sims (Northwestern) 34.000

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Championship culture continues for Harrison gymnastics