Reporter-Times

 

MARTINSVILLE

The task of advancing beyond the Columbus East gymnastics sectionals is beyond daunting, and Martinsville High School coach Larry Sachs admits this.

The sectional includes five of the top-20 teams in the state, including the No. 1 team in Columbus North.

The others are No. 4 Center Grove, No. 9 Columbus East, No. 14 Bloomington South and No. 19 Bloomington North, which is tied with LaPorte for that spot.

“It’s an extremely tough sectional,” Sachs said. “With those type of teams, it’s a good experience for us.”

It’s so tough that because of the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s rule that the top-three schools in each sectional advance to the regionals, three of the top-20 teams in the state won’t be moving on.

So instead of focusing on competing with those highly-ranked teams, as well as Jeffersonville, Owen Valley, Seymour and Terre Haute South, which are also competing, Sachs is focusing on his team’s score.

“We’re still capable of scoring a 90,” he said. “That’d be a nice score. If we hit 90, that would be good for us.”

Hitting 90, which the Artesians have struggled to do this season, has become more feasible with the return of several gymnasts from injuries. The Artesians have battled injuries the entire year, which at times has limited their lineup to three participants in events.

That’s put Martinsville at a disadvantage since other schools who haven’t been bitten by the injury bug have used full lineups.

“It just took us out of it,” Sachs said. “The freshmen stepping up has been a big help.”

Martinsville enters the tournament off back-to-back wins at Perry Meridian and Decatur Central

Against the Falcons, Martinsville scored 83.925 points, edging out Perry Meridian by .35.

Martinsville scored 23.350 on the vault, 20.150 on the uneven bars, 21.5 on the beam and 18.925 on the floor. Perry Meridian’s overwhelming advantage in size allowed it to win three of the four individual events, with Presli Collier winning the bars (6.9) and Katie Schnaiter coming in second (6.775) and Sam Reynolds, third (6.425).

Against the Hawks, 87.35 points to 83.675. The Artesians won all four events as well as the all-around.

Collier won the all-around (29.525) and the uneven parallel bars (7.4). Schnaiter won the floor exercise (7.325), Justine Jack won vault (8.35) and Reynolds won the balance beam (7.6).

Four gymnasts have returned from injuries but two are still out — Erika Ennis and Marissa Jones, both of whom suffered ACL injuries had had successful surgeries.

“We’re going to be OK,” Sachs said. “We have to go in and do our best, and plan for a good year next year.”

The meet begins at noon at Columbus East, with $5 admission.