Dragons win gymnastics sectional title

The New Palestine Dragons dominated Saturday's gymnastics sectional at NPHS, scoring 106.625 points and sweeping all four events to win the championship.

The Dragons were three points better than Franklin Central (103.125) and also outdistanced Noblesville (100.225). Roncalli, Shelbyville, Morristown, Tindley, Greenwood, Triton Central and Cathedral rounded out the top 10 spots.

Kenzi Hoffman was the all-around champion with a total of 36.55 points. Kaitlyn Fee was third in the all-around with 35.3 points -- just one tenth shy of second-place Dana Roth of Franklin Central.

Hoffman and Fee swept the four individual events, with Hoffman winning on uneven bars, floor exercise and vault, and Fee winning the balance beam.

The Dragons took the top three spots on uneven bars -- Hoffman won with a score of 8.725. Shelly Huesman was second with 8.675, and Fee third with 8.625. Annabelle Dockins was 13th with 7.75.

On beam, Fee posted a 9.275 score to lead a 1-2 finish, with Hoffman's 9.1 finishing second. Kylie Zehner was 11th (8.3) and Ciarra Hough 13th (8.175).

On floor, Hoffman totaled 9.25 to beat FC's Roth by a tenth. Fee was third (8.95), Hough fifth (9.7) and Dockins 11th (8.4) .

On vault, Hoffman's 9.475 score outpaced Noblesville's Katherine Chininis by five hundredths of a point. Dockins was fourth (9.2), Fee 18th (8.45) and Maddie Wallace 19th (8.4).

The Dragons advance as a team -- along with Franklin Central and Noblesville -- to Friday's Lafayette Jeff regional. Gymnastics will commence at 6:30 p.m. The top two teams and the top six gymnasts in each event will advance to the March 15 State Finals at Ball State's Worthen Arena.