By Ted Schultz
For The Tribune

COLUMBUS

The Seymour gymnastics team considered themselves a little bit of an underdog for the third and final qualifying spot from Friday’s Columbus East sectional, so coach Angie Mellencamp mixed up the order of the gymnasts.

The move paid off. The Owls scored a 104.425 to finish third, just less than 2½ points ahead of fourth-place Owen Valley, to qualify for the March 3 Connersville Regional.

This will be Seymour’s first time competing at regional as a team since 2013.

“I’m super-excited for this team,” Mellencamp said. “They have had a very long season, and the girls have worked really hard to get to regional. I’m very proud of them.”

Second-ranked Columbus East put up a 111.75 to win its first sectional title since 2001. Co-No. 4 Columbus North finished second with a 109.775.

The Owls were led by junior Avery DeHart and senior Kellsye Warner. DeHart recorded a 36.025 all-around score, while Warner had a 35.475.

Seymour led Owen Valley by just six-tenths of a point going into the final rotation, which was the floor for the Owls and the vault for the Patriots. Warner’s 9.4, DeHart’s 9.375 and Nicole Elmore’s 8.65 gave Seymour a 27.425 on the floor and its berth in the regional.

“I’m really proud of all the girls that competed today,” Mellencamp said. “They really stepped up to the plate for the team score.”