Kokomo Tribune

 

By BRYAN GASKINS
Tribune sportswriter

Nikki McCracken will pen the final chapter of an outstanding gymnastics career when she competes in the IHSAA State Finals on Saturday at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis.

McCracken, a Western senior, will compete in the all-around competition for the third straight season. She finished in 27th place in the 2007 meet and in 22nd place in the ’08 meet.

“Nikki is really focused this week on putting everything [into her routines] that she can possibly put in,” Western coach Margie Lea said. “She knows this is her final gymnastics meet. It’s kind of bittersweet — she’s so excited, but it’s the end of her career. It’s probably a good thing for her [injured] foot because her foot is kind of bothering her this week. But she’s just thrilled to be there — she’s very excited and very determined to do her very best.”

Western is also sending junior Casey Herr to the state meet. Herr will compete on the balance beam.

McCracken’s best showing in an individual event at state came on beam last season. She finished 10th. Lea noted the Panther standout is strong on floor too.

“She loves the floor,” Lea said. “She feels comfortable on floor and she’s a good dancer. I think she wants to try to bump that up a little bit and take a chance at trying to get in the top 10 in that event as well.”

Medals go to the top-six finishers in each event and in all-around competition.

Lea noted McCracken has left her mark on the Panther program.

“She’s given Western a lot to be proud of — she’s a very good athlete and she’s represented the gymnastics program extremely well,” Lea said. “She deserves to go out on top. Sometimes it’s hard to maintain [an elite level] in gymnastics because bodies start to break down. It’s hard for a senior to stay at that level, but she’s just kept growing and growing every year.”

Herr, a junior, will perform on beam after competing on vault at the ’08 state meet.

“Beam is one of Casey’s most comfortable events,” Lea said. “She feels at home on the beam. It’s very unusual for anyone to feel at home on 4 inches, but she sure does. There’s a lot of fear to it sometimes, but she’s really worked to overcome that and she wants to put in some new skills this week too. She feels there’s no reason to play it safe, you might as well go [for broke] and give it your best shot.”