For The Tribune

COLUMBUS

Alyssa Goen didn’t leave herself much margin for error.

The Seymour junior qualified for state by the slimmest of margins in gymnastics scoring. She claimed the sixth and final qualifying spot on the floor with a 9.45, just .025 ahead of seventh, in Friday’s Columbus East Regional.

“I’m really excited,” Goen said. “It was tough competition, but I felt I was going to have fun, and I felt pretty positive about it.”

Columbus East’s Becca Bryan won the floor with a 9.7.

“Everyone today had big skills, but the scores really came down to execution and who landed clean,” Seymour coach Angie Mellencamp said. “(Goen’s) floor is solid. She had some clean landings on all her passes.”

Goen, the Owls’ lone regional qualifier, also competed on the beam and finished 13th with an 8.425.

The state finals will be next Saturday at Ball State’s Worthen Arena. Goen also made it on the floor last season.

“It’s her second year in a row going back, so that’s exciting for her to keep it up,” Mellencamp said.

“It was exciting last year, and I’m excited I get to go again because it’s an amazing experience,” Goen said.

Second-ranked Columbus North won the team title with an 111.975. New Palestine (109.85) and No. 6 Owen Valley (108.575) claimed the other two state-qualifying team spots. Host and No. 5 Columbus East took fourth with a 105.85, followed by New Castle (101.325) and Connersville (100.075).

North’s Katrina May won the all-around competition with a 37.7. May also won the beam with a 9.2, while teammate Ashley Holliday and Owen Valley’s Anna Watkin tied for first on the bars (9.55) and Watkin took the vault (9.725).