Local gymnastics duo leans on each other for support as individual state qualifiers

LAFAYETTE − Micah Wright had a goal to get to the IHSAA state gymnastics finals.

In one event, the beam.

The Harrison junior outdid herself and will compete in all four at Ball State University's Worthen Arena on Saturday after she placed sixth in the all-around at last weekend's Valparaiso Regional, the final qualifying spot for state.

"I wasn't expecting to make it in all-around, but making it makes this even better," Wright said.

And to top it off, she's not going alone.

Lafayette Jeff freshman Mia Martin placed sixth on the beam at the regional, advancing in that event just a week after she was the sectional champion in the event.

"My initial reaction getting off the beam, I was very happy. I had stuck a beam routine at a very big meet and once I saw them put my score up (9.475), I started crying because I was so proud of myself and so surprised I got that big of a score on beam," Martin said.

This is not Wright's first state finals appearance. As a freshman, she qualified in the floor routine.

As a sophomore, she was a reserve on Harrison's Class 4A runner-up softball team last season. That's where the comparisons stop.

In softball, Wright was a role player. As a junior, she's now the leader of the Raiders' gymnastics team that won its fourth straight sectional championship two weeks ago, winning individual sectional titles in the uneven bars and floor routine.

Now, however, she's an individual.

"It is kind of bittersweet because my team, I give them a lot of credit for my success," Wright said. "Without them, I wouldn't be in the gym working as hard. They really push me and motivate me to work as hard as I do. It's going to be really weird going into state without people behind me supporting me."

Like Wright, Martin is representing Lafayette Jeff, but by herself.

So the two will lean on each other at the final IHSAA meet of the season.

"I personally feel so proud of myself going as a freshman," Martin said. "I know how rare it is to be able to go in your first year of high school gymnastics.

"It is so special to represent Jeff. A lot of my family has gone to Jeff throughout the years. Being able to be there as part of that family and going to state is phenomenal."

Getting to state was a goal for both.

But neither thought far beyond that.

Obviously, Wright hopes this is the second of three trips and Martin wants to be there all four years of her high school career.

So now, the reassessed goal is to soak in the experience and have fun.

"Just have fun because this is our last meet anyway and there's nothing to lose at this meet," Wright said. "Just go out there, have a smile, have confidence and do what I've been doing this whole season.

"I am more focused when I am having fun and smiling. I go in with the attitude to have fun and forget about all the pressure."

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Gymnastics duo leans on each other for support as state qualifiers