End Of Era For Wawasee Gymnastics
HUNTINGTON – The Huntington North Fieldhouse saw the end of an era for Wawasee gymnastics.
Not only did the season end for the Wawasee team with Aundreya Wegener’s 12th place finish on floor in competition, but the season capper was it for both of its coaches who are retiring.
Wegener’s 8.95 tied the Wawasee senior for 12th place in the standings, short of state qualification. Wegener was not eligible for any other event, which had the floor score conclude the team season. Wegener was a three-time regional performer, working with the Wawasee team as a freshman and sophomore in addition to Saturday’s solo act on floor.
The finality of the season for the team also saw the end of the road for coaches Nika Prather and Sarah Wegener. Prather worked with the program for 33 years, 26 of those as a head coach. Prather announced at the end of the regular season this would be her last. Assistant coach Wegener is also stepping aside, having worked with Prather the past 11 seasons.
For the meet itself, Homestead freshman Gianna Zirelle stole the show. Zirelle swept all four events, scoring 9.65 on vault, 9.6 on bars and beam, and 9.3 on floor to lead the tables. Her 38.15 all-around was over a point-and-a-half better than the next best score, 36.625 from Fort Wayne Dwenger’s Emma Doyle.
Dwenger would edge Homestead for the team title, 108.825-108.025, with Fort Wayne Carroll taking the third state team position with 106.7 points. DeKalb (103.1), Angola (101.25) and Plymouth (97.375) concluded the team table. Plymouth’s Kyla Heckaman was the lone area gymnast to qualify for state, tying for sixth place on beam with an 8.625.