Top-ranked Valparaiso could be on the verge of history this Saturday when the 39th Annual IHSAA Gymnastics State Finals are contested in Muncie.
The Vikings will be chasing an unprecedented fourth consecutive team title at Ball State’s Worthen Arena which will serve as host venue for the first time. Opening ceremonies begin at 12:30 pm ET / 11:30 am CT with competition in the four events to follow 30 minutes later.
Coached by Lorie Cook to each of its state-leading eight state championships, Valparaiso will be making its ninth consecutive appearance as a team and record 18th overall. The Vikings won their fourth straight regional crown at home last Friday. In addition to Valparaiso, Perry Meridian (1978-80) Connersville (1987-89) and Homestead (1983-85) each have won three straight team titles.
A total of 25 schools are represented in the meet with eight – Chesterton, Columbus North, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne Northrop, Franklin Central, Hagerstown, Roncalli, Valparaiso – in the running for the team title.
Individual state championship honors are wide open as no previous winners return to the 2011 state meet.
Second-ranked Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger won its state-leading 12th consecutive sectional crown on March 5. The Saints also returned to the top spot in last weekend’s regional and will be appearing for a record 12th straight time in the state team competition.
Roncalli, which has finished second to Valpo the last two seasons, also returns to the team competition for a third straight year. The ninth-ranked Rebels won their third straight regional crown last Friday at Lafayette Jefferson.
Columbus North was the other regional winner from the weekend capturing the Columbus East Regional for the fourth straight year.
The 39th Annual Gymnastics State Finals
Date: Saturday, March 19, 2011.
Time: Opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. ET; Competition at 1 pm ET.
Admission: $8.
Site: Worthen Arena, Ball State University, 2000 W. University Avenue, Muncie.
Notables
Teams Represented (25)
Angola, Chesterton, Columbus East, Columbus North, Connersville, DeKalb, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne Northrop, Fort Wayne Snider, Franklin Central, Hagerstown, Huntington North, Jeffersonville, Lafayette Jefferson, LaPorte, Logansport, New Castle, New Palestine, Oak Hill, Portage, Roncalli, Seymour, Valparaiso, Washington Township, Western.
Competing for Team Championship (8)
Chesterton, Columbus North, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne Northrop, Franklin Central, Hagerstown, Roncalli, Valparaiso.
State Coaches Poll (Competing for Team Championship)
1. Valparaiso;
2. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger;
3. Chesterton;
4. Columbus North;
7. Hagerstown;
9. Roncalli;
13. Fort Wayne Northrop;
15. Franklin Central.
Former State Champions in the Meet
None.