USA Gymnastics

CENTERVILLE - The underdog is state-bound.

Centerville is one 16 teams that will compete in the state gymnastics tournament team competition today at Hilliard Bradley High School.

"We've had so many injuries this season but we finally have a couple of girls back," Centerville coach Renee Horcher said. "The district was very close, we really had to battle it out and everyone contributed."

Elks freshman Erin Kafka, who recently returned to the lineup after sustaining multiple injuries this season, had a team-high 8.775 on the beam. The Elks' highest finish of the day, however, belonged to junior Sarah Fortner, who placed fourth on floor at the district meet.

While first-place Mason had some breathing room with a 141.425 team score, less than three points separated the second through fifth-place finishers. Centerville clinched the other state bid with 134.300 but Beavercreek (133.325), Troy (132.575) and Northmont (131.975) were all in the running.

"The competition level at state is very high," Horcher said. "I told the girls they need to focus on themselves - not everyone else - and strive for their own personal best."

There will still be work to do for several Comets gymnasts after the team event wraps up as Audrey Harpen, Crystal Kratzer, Brooke Middleton and Gabby Sora will compete in the all-around and individual competition on Saturday. Harpen and Sora are all-around competitors and will compete on vault and floor, Harpen will also vie for the podium on beam. Kratzer will compete on bars while Middleton will do the same on vault and beam.

Centerville's Fortner will compete on floor and in the all-around.

Several other local gymnasts will compete in Saturday's all-around and individual competition. Greenville's Paige Keller will compete on vault, beam and all-around. Jennifer Hanson, Troy, will compete on bars, floor and all-around. Northmont sophomore Carrie Kleptz will compete on vault and beam. Beavercreek's Sydney Currier and Brooke Griffith will be on floor and beam, respectively. Sophomore Ivee Kaye, Piqua, is a vault, bars and all-around competitor.

Contact this contributing writer at djunie@aol.com