6s Take 3rd at Little Bigger

The Level 6 team faced a crowded and talented field of competitors at this year's Little Bigger Invitational. Twenty gyms had Level 6 girls at the midday session Sunday. The judging was pretty strict too. Against all that, the Level 6 team took third place!

The 6s were strong vaulters. Morgan, like most of the other girls posted her best score of the meet on Vault. Amanda and Jamie scored 9.175 and 9.10 on Vault. Kelly's Vault was best in her age group. She took 1st. Madison took 2nd on Beam with a 9.10. Amanda took 2nd on Floor with a 9.025.

In the All Around, Madison took 1st with a 35.55. Amanda and Jamie took 4th and 5th in the 13+ group with similar scores. None of the 6s were having a perfect day, but where one of them struggled a bit, one of their team mates was able to put in a bit extra. Together, the Level 6 Team racked up a team score of 106.725, clinching third place. Good going 6s.

(Thanks, Julie for the scores)

Fours to be Reckoned With

The 4's pulled together a solid meet against some tough competition at the opening session of the Little Bigger meet Friday morning. The girls missed the talented help of teammates Maddie F and Sydney, but each turned in consistent routines and brought home the big pink third place trophy! Despite the tough competition, each girl had a trip to the podium in this team effort.

Cassie and Allie both won medals with their highest placements on Floor. For Jessica, it was Bars. Summer and Hope placed highest on Beam, with Hope also capturing third in the All-Around, also taking home medals. Hanna's streak continued, earning her first on Bars and Beam, and first in the intermediate division All-Around.

When all the scores were added up, the Level 4 Team totaled 109.100, and secured the very tall 3rd place team trophy. Great job 4s! Here's some pictures.

(Thanks Lori for scores and pix)

5s Win Trophy

With just barely enough girls attending to qualify as a team, the three OTW Level 5 girls, Anne, Emma and Jackie, had the pressure on them. Every one of their scores would count towards the team total -- good day, bad day or otherwise. Our three spunky 5s went out onto the floor at the Little Bigger Invitational and gave it all they could. Despite the shortage, they took home the seventh place team trophy, amid some very talented competition.

Emma had an especially nice Bars routine, scoring a 9.00 -- a personal best. Anne and Jackie were very clean on Beam, each scoring 9s and taking 2nds in their age groups. Anne took 1st in the All Around too.

After awards, all three girls were jangling noisily with their many medals. Each went home with a trophy for All Around and a HUGE smile. (just look at 'em!) Way to go, girls. You make us proud. Here's some pictures.

(Thanks Fred and Pat for scores and pix)

Level 7 Team Statesbound

All of the Level 7 girls qualified for States at this first Sectional meet. In some ways, it didn't seem like a solid meet. There were a couple falls where there usually aren't and some low scores where the routine looked fine (to the non-judge eye). But at the end of the session, they were clearly doing excellent as a team. Where one girl had a bit of trouble on an event, one of her team mates rose to the occassion and had a great routine.

In the end, the 7s had done quite well. Their hypothetical team score was 111.55, a full point higher than their average! They dominated the top of the winner's platform in every age group. Allison took 1st in everything, in the younger group. Kayla, Courtney and Hillary took turns in the top three spots in the middle group. Jess, LaNaya and Melinda swept the older age group. The girls didn't even get a chance to sit back down before being called back up for the next award. (aww)

Highpoints: Vault was hot. Jess and Allison took 1sts with a 9.525 and 9.55. Kayla took 1st with a 9.40. LaNaya, Courtney and Allison took 1st on Bars. Jess and Allison took 1st on Beam in their age groups. Hillary and Courtney tied for 1st in theirs. These are some sizzlin' sevens.

Alyssa Breezes Sectionals

Alyssa easily qualifed for States at this first Optonals Sectional, held at Tri-Star. Since her leg is still not quite up to full strength yet, her Vault and Floor were a little off her usual marks, even though she stuck her Vault nicely. Her Bars routine was unaffected. She placed 3rd on Bars with a 9.20 and took 2nd on Beam with a 9.225. Her All-Around of 35.525 took 2nd place. Good show, Alyssa.

Bri Finds Gold in Orlando

Bri and Alyssa are back from their trip to Orlando to attend the Magical Classic Invitational. Bri tied for first on Floor with a 9.45, to secure a gold medal. Alyssa, normally competing as a Level 8, worked on some Level 9 skills prior to the trip, and did pretty well competing as a 9. She took 7th on Vault with an 8.75 and 9th in the All-Around. Welcome back girls. We saved you some snow. Here's some pictures.

Qualified Sucesses

The Level 4’s showed their depth and team camaraderie, bringing home an impressive set of accomplishments, ribbons, and medals after Sunday’s qualifier meet. Hugs, cheers, and high-fives were shared as the girls attacked each event with grace and power. Cassie showed great consistency all day, scoring between 8.6 and 8.7 on each event. After a tough meet last weekend, Summer was stunning on beam, bringing home the silver in her age division. Beam was also strong for Hope, who captured the gold, sharing the podium with teammate Maddie F who took the silver. The roles were reversed on floor, where Maddie clinched the gold and Hope took the silver. Maddie F also took first on vault, sharing the podium with teammate Sydney who took silver by a narrow .05 margin. Jessica’s bar performances continue to impress the judges, earning her the gold with a 9.2 performance. The 6-8 division all-around was a top 3 podium sweep for the OTW girls, with Allie K taking the bronze, Maddie K the silver and, Hanna “Hot” Tingley the gold with an impressive 37.55 all-around score, including an phenomenal 9.6 on beam! Way to go girls! (photos)

The Level 5 team was short a couple of members, with Jess P out sick and Jackie in Florida. But, not to worry. The remainder of the 5s held down the fort and made a very strong showing for the team. Emma posted a personal season's best All Around of 34.4. She placed in all four events, taking 2nd in Bars and Floor. Emily also placed in all four events, tying for 1st on Floor with a 9.15, and taking 2nd in the All-Around. Jess F and Anne totally dominated the winners' platform, trading back and forth, the 1st and 2nd place finishes. Looking good 5s! (photos)

The Level 6 team saw team mate Mackenzie return to action in full force. Mackenzie placed in all four events, taking 1st on Beam, and 2nd in the All-Around. Amanda took 1st on Vault with a 9.30 and 1st on Bars with a 9.00. Jamie was a whirlwind, taking two 2nds, a 3rd and 1st on Floor with a 9.20. Her All Around of 36.250 took 1st place. In the 11-12 yr old group, Kelly took two 2nds and a 1st on Floor. She placed 2nd in the All Around. Morgan was also no stranger to the winner's platform tying for 3rd on Vault and posting an impressive 9.25 on Beam, good for 2nd place. The 6s are picking up speed! (photos)

All three of OTW's compulsories teams seem fired up and in good form for their next big event: the Little Bigger Invitational. Go get 'em girls!

Watching UNH Win

Some team girls attended the UNH home meet on Saturday night (Feb 17). They got to watch the UNH team win over the University of Maryland, 195.15 to 194.55. UNH gymnasts took first in all four events. Justine Turner took first in Vault with a 9.85. Diane Grey won Bars with a 9.9. Jamie deMello took Beam with a 9.875. Keeley Smith dazzled on Floor, earning a 9.875. There was a lot of great gymnastic action.

Again, Wild E. Cat came to sit with the girls in the stands. MacKenzie won the trivia contest, winning a pair of theater tickets.

Amazing Stuff at Fox Run

Many OTW team girls went to see the college level gymnastics at this year's Fox Run Invitational. There was so much great gymnastics going on, that you simply couldn't catch it all. The huge event was seeing Michigan State's Rochelle Robinson score a perfect 10 on vault. You just don't get to see that everyday. Other cool sights were UNH's Beth Bronson doing her unique Bars dismount, UNH's Keeley Smith scoring a 9.925 on Beam, as well as UNH's Fairen Plumber and Justine Turner taking 1st and 2nd on Floor. They also got to see Alicia Sacramone perform too, as part of the Brown team.

UNH got off to a slower start, ranking third after the first rotation. The lady wildcats were gaining speed as the meet went on, with great scores on Beam and Floor. In the end, they fell just .075 points short of Michigan State, to take second place with 193.925. Talk about close. Afterward, there were autographs to collect, and a bunch of jazzed up young gymnasts who didn't seem to notice how cold it was walking from the arena to their cars.

Here's some pictures from the evening.

LaNaya Wins Gymnast Art Contest

UNH held a contest for kids to draw up some art to go on an upcoming UNH gymnastics program. The UNH team girls picked the winner. LaNaya won! (photo of LaNaya with the UNH team) The prize is a pizza party with members of the UNH gymnastics team. The entry form says the party will be for the winner's "class." LaNaya asked if the party could be for her gym instead. The lady said yes. How cool will THAT be? Arrangements still have to be sorted out, since the UNH girls still have a meet schedule underway, and so do the OTW girls. We'll share details as they become available.

Watching the Big Girls

Several of the OTW team girls went to UNH this Sunday to watch a college-level gymnastics meet. It was fascinating to see gymnasts from both teams doing what seemed impossible. (Does gravity not apply to gymnasts?) The Denver team was having a great day, scoring 9.8s regularly and a few 9.9s too. The UNH girls struggled a bit on Vault and a couple of their Floor competitors stepped out of bounds. In the high-power realm of college gymnastics, that's all it takes. Denver edged out UNH by a couple points.
Young gymnasts from many local gyms were sprinkled throughout the audience. Some wore gym warm-up jackets, but many did not. Nonetheless, it was easy to spot the gymnast girls from the other kids which parents brought along. The other kids were horsing around or walking around, etc. The young gymnasts kept their eyes glued to the floor.

Solid Sectional for 4s, 5s, 6s

This first Sectional of the Spring '07 season was held at Granite State in Bow. OTW's compulsory teams were just coming off of a three-weekend tour of invitationals. This added a fatigue factor, but it also meant that they well practiced in their routines. "Meet Jitters" were pretty well done by this point too. The girls all knew their stuff and got down to business.

The Level 4s made a good showing at the first Spring Sectionals Cassie had a strong day at sectionals Saturday, taking 3rd on bars and 5th in the all-around. Many of the 4s were strongest on vault. Newest team member Sydney was again hot on vault, capturing 1st place with a 9.40. Maddie K ‘s beautiful 9.3 vault earned her 2nd place. Summer’s strongest event of the day was also Vault.
Maddie F turned in a great floor performance, scoring a 9.125 to take home first place on floor and 3rd in the All Around.  The 4’s swept the podium on bars, with Jessica capturing 1st with a 9.25 on bars, followed by Hope and Cassie.  Hanna was out with a sore neck, but was there to cheer on her teammates!

The Level 5 Team was all present and ready for action. Anne was up to speed, scoring three 9s and placing in all four events. She took 1st in the All-Around too. Jess F came on strong too, taking 2nd in Vault and Floor, 3rd in the All-Around. Jess P was hot on Beam, taking 1st with a 9.15. Emily was also strong on Beam, taking 2nd. Jackie, recovered from her serious flu, took 3rd on Beam and Floor. Emma pulled it all together with a great Bars routine, and qualified for States! Now the whole Level 5 Team knows they're bound for the State Meet. Way to go, 5s!

The Level 6 Team was feeling the plus and minus of a four-meet stretch, yet they stayed strong. Amanda continued her fine work, scoring 9s on Vault, Bars and Floor. Team mate Jamie also continued looking good, particularly on Vault and Beam. Madison took to the winners platform several times with her consistent, solid routines. Kelly also got to the winners' platform. She did very well at her first Sectional as a 6. Her Vault and Beam were her best. All the 6s competing posted qualifying scores for States.