By Samantha Neidlinger / Staff Writer
The New Palestine gymnastics team had a strong season filled with consistent performances and steady improvement. Starting their year off winning 6th in the state finals, the team showed discipline and focus in every meet, by winning sectionals and then winning the regional championship for the first time in school history. Athletes like senior Kalle Jones, and juniors Alexis Hall and Olivia Clark each contributed to the team’s success in different ways.
Jones approached the season with experience and a clear mindset. She focused on staying positive and encouraging others, especially during important meets. She believed in keeping things simple and staying open to new experiences.
“I would say to just, if you’re thinking about it to do it because no matter what, you can always, like, figure something out and just make it fun,” Jones said.
Her attitude helped her stay consistent throughout the season, including strong performances on balance beam and floor exercise.
Hall played a key role in multiple events, especially vault. She often placed at the top in competitions and was known for performing one of the most difficult vaults on the team.
“My favorite event is probably vault because I did the highest skill on the team, and it’s just like, one and done,” Hall said. Her ability to focus in high pressure moments helped the team in close competitions, including invitationals and championship meets.
The team competed in several meets throughout the season, including a three way meet where they scored 104.7 points to defeat Franklin Central and Edgewood. In that meet, multiple gymnasts placed in the top positions across events. The team continued to build momentum and later placed second at the Connersville Invitational with a score of 103.375, finishing behind Columbus North.
As the season continued, the Dragons improved their scores and performances. In a meet against New Castle, they won with a score of 105.45 to 102.225. Athletes placed highly across events such as uneven bars, vault, and floor exercise. Hall earned top scores in multiple events and also won the all around in that meet.
“I remind myself that every practice is a choice. You can choose to have a good practice with a good attitude or you can choose to take the negative route. The choice is yours, make the right one,” Clark said.
Her approach helped her stay focused and prepared during meets, including sectional and regional competitions.
The team finished their home season with a strong performance against Shelbyville, winning 106.15 to 78.075. They placed first in all four events and had multiple athletes in the top positions. This meet marked the final home performance for several seniors, including Jones.
In the postseason, the Dragons continued their success. It won the sectional championship with a score of 107.2, placing ahead of several other teams. Multiple athletes earned top finishes, and the team advanced to regional. At the regional competition, they achieved a season best score of 108.55 and won their first regional championship. Hall won the vault title, and the team placed well across all events.
“Making it to state and winning regional those we’re just really, like, big team competition,” Jones said.
These results showed how the team improved over the course of the season and performed well under pressure.
The team advanced to the state finals, where they competed against top programs and finished sixth with a score of 107.3. Several athletes placed individually, including Hall, who ranked in multiple events, and Clark, who competed on uneven bars.
“You can get really in your head sometimes, and then it takes you out for a couple days or a week or so, and then you get back into it and you’re like, okay, I can’t do this. So yeah. You just got to push through it basically,” Hall said.
