While the Seymour gymnastics team may be young, with five underclassmen and a senior making up the roster, the Owls’ scores aren’t reflecting their age.
Defeating Franklin Central, 105.900-102.975, in their home opener Thursday at Gymnastics Lane, the Owls’ score ranked with some of the best in the state.
Seymour was ranked No. 8 heading into its matchup with Franklin Central.
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“Our score from tonight should put us at No. 6 of all the teams that are posting scores,” Owls coach Angie Mellencamp said. “It is really higher than we expected this early in the season. I think they really have the potential to go even higher. It’s very exciting. They really hit it out of the ballpark tonight.”
Owls senior Alyssa Goen led the charge, winning the all-around with a score of 36.75.
Goen earned first in the floor exercise (9.5) and vault (9.05) and also tied for the top-spot in the uneven bars with sophomore teammate Kellsye Warner scoring 8.525.
On the balance beam, Franklin’s Khloe Dykes claimed the top spot with a 9.35, and Goen was runner-up at 9.25. Seymour sophomore Jenna Thomas and Warner tied for third on the beam by scoring 8.725.
Warner also garnered second in the floor exercise (9.475) and vault (8.85), leading to a runner-up spot in the all-around with a total score of 36.0.
“Kellsye did great tonight,” Mellencamp said. “We had some unexpected falls on beam and bars tonight, and Kellsye really stepped up to the plate and hit. Her score definitely played a huge role in our team’s score this evening.”
Mellencamp was especially pleased with the results on the vault during the contest.
“Our biggest goal this meet was to bring up our vault scores, and every single gymnast that competed varsity did that,” Mellencamp said. “I can’t ask for any more there. There is still some room for improvement. We had a couple steps after our vault and lost points there, but that was still our biggest improvement.”
With a young team, Mellencamp said that winning at home will help boost the team’s confidence.
“I would still say we didn’t hit solid on every event, but they controlled their nerves better than the last meet,” she said. “We didn’t have as many falls — leaving as many points on the floor — as we did last meet.”
The Owls scored two more overall points from their season opener at Columbus East.
Mellencamp said that the team changed their routine, and it paid dividends.
“They do know that they can jump another two points if anyone sticks their events,” she said. “But, this meet will help their self-confidence. We’ve made some changes in the routines as far as bonus combinations on floor and beam and it paid off tonight.”
The Owls, who are 1-1 in dual meets, will compete at Shelbyville on Thursday.