Marion Harding’s Divine Reynolds is ready to see what a second trip to the state gymnastics championships can produce.
“I’m very blessed to be back again and have more opportunities to do good in other events,” she said. “Maybe a little pressure from random people, but my family supports me, and they just want me to do my best.”
Reynolds burst onto the scene as a freshman at the OHSAA state meet last year, and the sophomore returns to Hilliard Bradley Sunday, March 8 for the 2026 state competition.
She enters after a dominating performance at the Central District gymnastics tournament at Worthington Kilbourne. Reynolds posted a 38.2 to take the all-around championship by a whopping 1.1 points. She was also a champ on the uneven bars with a 9.35, the floor exercise at 9.65 and the vault at 9.725. She was the runner-up on the balance beam with a 9.475.
“I know what to expect now. I feel I do have to hold up to my expectations of last year,” Reynolds said.
Because last year she finished as a state champion on the beam, tying Magnificat’s Molly Francis with a 9.55. She also earned All-Ohio status by finishing third in the vault at 9.65. She was 16th on the bars at 8.975 and tied for 23rd on the floor with another 8.975.
Reynolds was seventh in the all-around with a 37.15 to make All-Ohio for a third time at the meet. She is Marion Harding’s first gymnastics state champion.
“I do look at my scores from last year. I like to see where I’m at or if I’m elevating and doing better than last year,” she said of her approach to Sunday. “For the most part, I keep my routine the same. I’m a little better mentally, knowing everything is okay. Mostly everything is the same.”
The Sunday routine starts at 10:30 a.m. with the parade of champions and introductions followed by a warm-up period. Competition starts at 11 a.m. Reynolds will wear bib No. 269 and compete in Group B, Squad 7 in the four rotations.
River Valley’s Finley Blevins also competed at the Central District meet, finishing 50th out of 107 athletes in the all-around, scoring a 31.325. She was 11th on the bars with an 8.25, just missing a state berth by three spots and 0.075 points. She scored 7.5 on the floor, 7.95 on the vault and 7.05 on the beam.
Harding’s Romy Yancey was 21st on the vault with an 8.6. She scored a 7.65 on the bars and a 7.05 on the floor
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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Harding’s Divine Reynolds ready for state gymnastics return
Reporting by Rob McCurdy, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
