(LEFT) Westfield’s Madie Doran is the lone senior on the Shamrocks’ team this season. (RIGHT) Noblesville’s Valorey Bittles placed second on the vault and floor exercises. (Richie Hall)
By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – The Noblesville and Westfield gymnastics teams met on Thursday night for a dual meet at Hollywood Sports Center in Carmel.
Both teams are already well into their seasons, which have so far produced high scores and high hopes for the post-season tournament. The Shamrocks won the dual over the Millers 101.275-99.375.
Fischer
Westfield coach Ally Dunkin said the season has been going “fantastic” for the Shamrocks.
“This is the biggest team we’ve ever had,” said Dunkin. “We’ve got 14 girls and there’s just a lot of talent on our team.”
The Rocks are a very young team, with only one senior, Madie Doran. Meanwhile, sophomore Sonoma Fischer led the way for Westfield, winning the all-around and three individual events: the vault, uneven bars and floor exercise, with 9.05s on the vault and floor.
Fischer may be new to high school gymnastics, but she participated in club gymnastics for years.
“It’s different, but I really like it,” said Fischer. “And I like the community and it’s fun.”
Doran’s best score of the night was 8.80 on the floor, which placed her third in that event. She has a simple message for her young teammates.
“I just try and tell them to have fun, go out there, do their best. No worries at all, just do their best,” said Doran.
Noblesville’s Emmerson Leckrone had the Millers’ event win, scoring an 8.325 on the balance beam. There are no seniors on Noblesville’s team, but gymnasts like juniors Leckrone and Valorey Bittles are helping to lead the way. Bittles was second in the vault and floor events, while Hailey Nobbe placed second on bars.
“Emmerson, Hailey and Valorey are leaders on the team,” said Millers coach Erica Eder.
“We’re throwing some big skills, which naturally come with big falls,” said Eder. “But we’re getting big skills, so I think by the time sectionals come around we’ll have those skills and be ready to show them off.”
Team score: Westfield 101.275, Noblesville 99.375.
All-around scores: 1. Sonoma Fischer (W) 34.55, 2. Valorey Bittles (N) 33.825, 3. Hallie Walther (W) 33.40, 4. Emmerson Leckrone (N) 32.45, 5. Madie Doran (W) 31.575, 6. Vera Deichman (N) 31.125, 7. Avery Mason (W) 31.00.
Vault: 1. Fischer (W) 9.05, 2. Bittles (N) 8.95, 3. Walther (W) 8.875, T4. Hailey Nobbe (N) 8.65; Doran (W) 8.65, T6. Leckrone (N) 8.575; Avery Mason (W) 8.575, 8. Kaleia Cole (W) 8.425, 9. Kelsey Atkinson (W) 8.35, 10. Sterling Southard (N) 8.25, 11. Deichman (N) 8.20, 12. Phoenix Rollins (N) 7.75.
Uneven bars: 1. Fischer (W) 8.75, 2. Nobbe (N) 8.425, 3. Bittles (N) 8.00, T4. Mason (W) 7.925; Walther (W) 7.925, 6. Cole (W) 7.525, 7. Deichman (N) 7.50, 8. Atkinson (W) 7.56, 9. Leckrone (N) 7.075, 10. Doran (W) 6.175, 11. Southard (N) 4.275, 12. Rollins (N) 3.975.
Balance beam: 1. Leckrone (N) 8.325, 2. Walther (W) 8.025, 3. Bittles 8.00, 4. Doran (W) 7.95, 5. Nobbe (N) 7.80, 6. Fischer (W) 7.70, 7. Deichman (W) 7.625, 8. Harper Roy (W) 7.225, 9. Lilly Martin (N) 6.85, 10. Southard (N) 5.75, 11. Mason (W) 6.575.
Floor exercise: 1. Fischer (W) 9.05, 2. Bittles (N) 8.875, 3. Doran (W) 8.80, 4. Walther (W) 8.525, 5. Roy (W) 8.50, 6. Leckrone (N) 8.475, 7. Mason (W) 7.925, 8. Deichman (N) 7.80, 9. Rollins (N) 6.65.
