SYRACUSE – Wawasee head coach Nika Prather has always had a quiet optimism her team could keep pace with the big dogs in the Wawasee Gymnastics Sectionals over the years. With the proof in beating sectional powerhouses Elkhart Central and East Noble this season, Prather feels this might FINALLY be the year.

Wawasee hasn’t claimed a sectional title since 2004, and maybe more eye-opening for the club tied for the most sectional titles in the state (23, Valpo), is Wawasee hasn’t been to a regional as a team since 2009. Wawasee has been to the regional as a team just three times since its last sectional title. But impressive wins against East Noble, Huntington North and defending sectional champion Elkhart Central have shown Prather’s group could be primed to end the conversation.

“Feeling the pressure, these girls know how long it’s been since we’ve won a sectional,” said Prather. “They know the potential to do that is pretty good. You never know, especially the younger ones, how they will react. It may just make them a nervous wreck or they may rise to the occasion.”

At the head of Wawasee’s class is sophomore Reagan Atwood, who has taken a quantum leap in her second season. Atwood has continuously posted all-around scores in the 34-35 range, and has become one of the best floor performers in the state, going as high as 9.65, scores Wawasee hasn’t seen consistently in over a decade.

Atwood isn’t alone, with a pair of freshmen rising up to give the Lady Warriors three all-around scores to count on. Jada Parzygnot and Alyssa Minnix both have become reliable scores night in and out, Parzygnot having the ability to post with Atwood on most nights.

The team is not just three deep, but composed of several moving parts. Senior Ashleigh Frecker has been consistent on vault, and gives Wawasee options on beam and floor, as does juniors Haleigh Smarr and Autumn Yoder.

“Our senior, Ashleigh, will be at the helm of everything and I hope her experience will keep everyone grounded,” said Prather. “The main thing I am worried about is them feeling too much pressure.”

Warsaw has been led by the exploits of freshman performer Remi Beckham, who has risen her game significantly since the start of the season. Beckham has brought her all-around game into the 34s, which could be competitive at the sectional. Her floor scores have crept into the nines, and beam and vault scores have risen with the inclusion of more difficult maneuvers.

“I like the way we are headed,” said Warsaw coach Megan Kammerer after her team’s final home meet. “We are starting to get those harder skills in our routines and we are seeing that in our scores lately. Our scores should only go up for the sectional if we keep hitting our skills.”

Hayley Campbell and Anna Wainscott have both given Warsaw all-around compliments and have provided formidable scorelines, notably in February. Nadiya Burritt has worked every event but floor for the Tigers.

Elkhart Central will still enter as the favorite, ranked No. 8 in the state and are routinely hitting triple digits. The core of junior Kiera Stabler, sophomore Skiler Reveal and freshman Abi Downs offer some of the best scores in the state. Downs has cleared 37 in all-around this season and has posted scores among the top 10 in vault and floor this season. Stabler will be one to watch on beam and Reveal has a very entertaining floor routine.

DeKalb should be squarely in the mix for the team battle. Sophomore Grace Gorman leads the Barons, but senior Caitlin Morrow has been through the wars and should challenge for top spots. Freshman Shiloh Miller will also factor into matters.

East Noble’s duo of junior Elizabeth Molen and senior Brianna Glass give the Knights two rock-solid performers.

West Noble’s senior, Meagan Roy, could surprise in the all-around category.

The Wawasee Gymnastics Sectional – comprised of athletes from Angola, DeKalb, East Noble, Elkhart Central, Lakeland, New Prairie, Plymouth, Warsaw, Wawasee, West Noble, Westview – will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the top six place winners for each event along with the top six all-around winners also moving to the Huntington North Regional on Saturday, March 5.