It took some time for Briana Thomas to figure out what she wanted.

While making spot appearances in Merrillville’s varsity lineup as an underclassman, Thomas had some apprehension about her ability to contribute.

“I didn’t think I could bring that much to the team,” Thomas said. “I didn’t think I was good enough and didn’t want to let the team down.”

But those fears soon turned to determination.

“After being (on varsity) for a few events, that started my drive,” Thomas said. “I didn’t want to be on (the JV team) and not make a difference. I wanted to help lead the team.”

Thomas is doing that in her final high school season, leading Merrillville into Saturday’s Chesterton Sectional, after blossoming into an all-around performer during her junior year.

Thomas has been involved in Merrillville’s club since middle school, meaning that coach Diane Roberts has become familiar with Thomas’ competitive demeanor.

“She’s all about tenacity,” Roberts said. “She has one of the best work ethics that I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching. This kid just goes after everything like a lioness ready to fight for her cubs.”

As the Pirates’ top all-around performer, Thomas has been leading by example this season — a familiar role for the oldest of three sisters. The youngest Thomas sister, Megan, is in fourth grade and just starting her gymnastics career, while the other sister, Emilee, is a Merrillville freshman.

There’s a friendly rivalry between Briana and Emilee Thomas at practice, pushing them in each routine.

“My sister and I are always joking around about doing better than the other one,” Briana Thomas said. “We just want to make each other better.”

But this season presents Thomas’ last chance at reaching the state meet, with the journey toward that goal starting at the sectional meet. At the Duneland Athletic Conference meet on Saturday, Thomas was the runner-up on beam (9.5) and was sixth in the all-around (36.975).

A similar placement at the sectional would send Thomas on to the regional, so she’s spending this final week of practice fine-tuning the tiniest of details in each routine.

“This is the when the judges are looking for the little things,” Thomas said. “So I’ll have to make sure everything is clean.”

Program building:Ashley Koza was a two-time state qualifier at Michigan City before graduating in 2015 and is back at her alma mater as coach following a one-year stint as an assistant with Chesterton.

The Wolves finished eighth at the DAC meet, but the short term isn’t her focus for now.

“In the early years, I’m not concerned with us being No. 1 or making a big name for ourselves yet,” she said. “My goal was to get numbers.”

She’s been successful in that regard. There are 10 gymnasts on the roster, including including five seniors who are trying gymnastics for the first time.

Koza said she was thrilled with the results of her first season and remains optimistic about the future.

“I wasn’t expecting to make as much progress as we did,” she said. “I’m proud of where this program is going.”

Conference champs:Two-time defending state champion Chesterton, ranked No. 1 in the coaches’ poll, won the DAC meet with a team score of 113.875, finishing ahead of Lake Central (112.55) and Valparaiso (111.575).

The Trojans were again led by junior Mia Pak, who won on vault (9.75), bars (9.875), floor (9.675) and in the all-around (38.375). Chesterton senior Sophie Hunzelman won on beam (9.7) and was runner-up to Pak in the all-around (37.75).

Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.