A high school career filled with twists and turns—literally and figuratively—ended on the highest of highs for Republic gymnast Taylor Houchin.
Houchin won the junior Olympics national all-around title on Sunday night in Fort Worth, Tx.
The Republic High senior scored a 38.475 total, edging out Kimberly Tessen out of Utah and Paige Williams out of Texas, who tied at 38.125.
Houchin’s best score came on the vault—which she said was her best event—where she scored a 9.75, good enough for second place. She was third on beam with a 9.70, a 9.625 on the uneven bars and a 9.4 on floor exercise.
Previously, her best finish at nationals was ninth, when she was in eighth grade.
The win may end her high school career, but not Houchin’s gymnastics career. She’s headed to Nebraska next fall to join the Huskers.
