Super Sectional

The second Sectional for the Level 7 Team seemed to get off to a slower start. They started on Beam, which was a bit of a struggle. Some wobbles, a couple falls, kept the scores under par. Only Jess scored a 9.05, that is, until Allison broke the "spell" at the end of the rotation by posting a 9.40. Floor saw a lot of 9s. Allison raked in her almost-typical 9.50. Jess was at full speed with a 9.45. Kayla, too, was ready for business. She posted a 9.325. LaNaya and Courtney both scored 9.275. From there on, the 7s began gaining altitude. Vault saw some high-flying scores. Allison posted yet another 9.50. Kayla put in a 9.475. Hillary was hot with a 9.425. Bars was yet another surge upward. Everyone on the team scored 9s. Allison with her 9.475, LaNaya put in a 9.35 and Melinda a 9.275.

The All-Arounds saw a LOT of OTW blue & white. Allison just stayed atop the platform for the 12 year old group, as they handed out one blue ribbon after another. (she took 1st in everything) Saved all that wasteful climbing up and down. Kayla, Courtney and Hillary were frequently up together, like when they took 1,2,3 on Vault, Floor and in the All-Around. Jess, LaNaya and Melinda were up on the stand too.

After the four rotations, the 7s had a hypothetical team score of 112.125! Impressive team score. They certainly didn't let a few Beam wobbles in the beginning get in their way. This is a team that looks like a contender for States. When NH-USAG posts the scores from all three of the day's sessions, our virtual forcaster: Jim Nast, will see how the other teams did, and how things look like to be shaping up for States.

In Level 8 Action Alyssa was having a very good day. She scored a 9.50 on Bars to take 1st, and a 9.20 on Beam to take 1st. Her All-Around of 36.475 put her on the top of the podium in the 13-14 age group. Alyssa certainly looks ready for States. Good job Alyssa.

OTW 4’s Capture State Team Title!

It took two sessions and 8 hours, but the level 4 girls continued their outstanding teamwork and capped off their season with an exciting team championship with an amazing 112.225 team score!
 
The focus of the day’s two sessions was absolutely TEAM at this the biggest meet of the year! By virtue of her age, Hope was the lone OTW gymnast in session one, but she knew her scores were every bit as important to the team total as her 8 teammates in the second session. With teammates Hanna, Maddie K, and Cassie cheering from the stands and the support of Coach Tammy, Hope had a strong meet, placing in all four events. Highlights were a silver on Bars, gold on Floor and Vault, and bronze in the All-Around.
 
The remaining 8 girls in the second session were also keenly focused on earning the best possible scores to contribute to the team total in their quest to bring home a Level 4 State Championship banner to the Off the Wall Gym. With teammate Hope now in the stands cheering alongside Melinda who made the trip with her parents straight from her own meet, the large OTW contingent was carefully tracking team scores after each rotation and sitting on the edge of their seats throughout the meet.
 
Hot Hanna Tingley led the OTW girls with an unbelievable 38.05 All-Around, taking silver on Beam, and gold on all other events and the All-Around. Summer was again a shining star on Beam, earning an impressive 9.1.  Cassie had four solid events, and showed off her fabulous flexibility on the Beam earning her 4th place.  Maddie K. was a frequent visitor to the podium, placing in all four events and the All-Around, including 9.0 for 8th place for another stellar Floor routine. Sydney placed in all four events and the All-Around, and was again a star on Vault, scoring a 9.475 for the bronze. Maddie F. scored a personal best 36.625 in the All-Around, earning her bronze, in addition to the silver medal her gorgeous 9.5 Vault performance.
 
After the meet, an impromptu celebration was held at Shorty’s in Manchester. Laughter, good cheer, and camaraderie were on order to cap off an unforgettable day.

(Thanks Lori, for the photo & scores)

OTW 6s State Champs!

Off the Wall's Level 6 Team has been coming on strong this Spring. They didn't slow down one bit for States, barreling all the way to the top of the winner's platform. The team is bringing home the championship banner to the gym. Every one of the team also collected personal awards.

The Vault was the source of many medals. Amanda, Mackenzie and Jamie took the gold, silver and bronze in their age group. Madison took the gold in hers. Kelly took the gold in hers. Bars saw Amanda and Jamie take the gold and silver. Kelly took the bronze. Morgan took 4th, Madison 5th. Beam had a couple of wobbles for the team, but the depth of the Level 6 Team prevailed. Jamie took the gold, Mackenzie the silver. Madison took the gold in her age group. On Floor, every one of the team got up for awards. Jamie, Amanda and Mackenzie took 1-2-3. In the All-Around, OTW's blue and white dominated again. Amanda took the gold. Jamie took the silver. Makenzie took the bronze, all with 36s. Madison took the gold in her age group. Kelly took the podium for 4th.

The 6s' team score of 110.5 was enough to cinch the top of the platform and bring home the championship banner. Way to go 6s!

(Thanks Michael & Trish for the photo) -- More States Pix

5s at States: Medals & Ribbons

The whole team made it to States this year, which was great. There were many level 5 gymnasts at States this year, and lots of talent on hand. It was a prestigious field of competitors in 12 teams. Amid this grande finale to this season's meets, OTW's Level 5s had their moments to be proud of.

Vault scoring was a little tough for everyone. Anne took 1st with a 9.00. Jess F took 2nd. Bars saw a few 9s too, with Anne scoring a 9.4 and Jackie scoring a 9.0. Beam went better for the Level 5 Team. Anne took 1st with a 9.5, but team mates Jess F, and Jackie were right behind her with 9.225s. Emma had a very nice Beam routine too, with a 9.025 -- a personal best. Floor was a time for Emily and Jackie to shine, both scoring 9s.

In the end, the 5s amassed a team score of 108.525. It should be noted that the 5s have been steadily improving their team score all Spring. This was their highest yet. Furthermore, the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place teams were separated by no more than .75 points. Talk about close! OTW's Level 5 Team was in the thick of the competition and hot on the heels of the top teams. Congratulations, Anne, Jess, Jess, Emily, Kelly and Emma. You competed with New Hampshire's best and took home a team trophy and many personal awards. You should be very proud. We are.
(Thanks for the scores Fred and Jeanie, and Pat, for the photo)

Alyssa shines by Starlight

Alyssa did very well in a crowded field of competitors at this year's Starlight Invitational, held in Cambridge, Mass. There was tough judging all around (no gifts here). Scoring on Vault had been extremely tough on everyone, as Alyssa taking 3rd with an 8.325 demonstrates. She took 2nd in Bars and 4th on Floor. The high point was Alyssa's 9.35 on Beam, which captured first place! Alyssa took to the top of the podium again in the All-Arounds, taking home the very tall first place trophy. Way to go, Alyssa!

(Thanks Scott and Jeanie for the photo)

Medals for 7s at Starlight

This year's Starlight Invitational wasn't the high point of the Level 7 Team's season, but it did hold several personal high points. Scoring was on the strict side, especially on Vault, where scores of 8-something were most common. A 9 was very rare. Most of the Level 7 girls had vaults that looked good, but scored a good half point lower than they had all season. The two exceptions were Allison who scored a 9.075 and Kayla who led the team with a 9.20. Things were a bit better on Bars, but again, 8s were common and 9s rare. Despite that, Allison turned in a 9.20. Melinda scored a 9.025 and LaNaya posted a 9.0. Beam proved problematic, as it has occasionally. Allison's 9.55 stood out. Jess's very nice beam routine scored a 9.125. On Floor, the Level 7s were able to shine. Despite the tough judging, there were a lot of 9s scored. Allison dazzled the judges (again) to score another 9.55. Courtney was impressive to the tune of a 9.40! Hillary was not far behind with a 9.25. Every one of the 7s brought home at least two medals. Kayla celebrated her first 36 All-Around.

In the end, Starlight was maybe not the bestest meet ever for the 7s, but it was a good experience. Their team score of 110.075 was a little below their average, but not by much. Meets like this can increase determination to work that little bit harder to ensure perfection for States. You can do it, 7s!

Everyone Qualified. All Going To States

This year's second Spring Sectional was held at Evergreen, deep in the White Mountains. It was a great meet, and the last few OTW girls who needed to qualify for States, did so. All three OTW Compulsory Teams also proved they were ready for States, posting higher scores than before. There were many personal bests scored too. (Here are some photos from 2nd Sectionals.)

The Level 4 Team is building momentum for States. The 4’s had a strong showing at Sectionals. Short three teammates, the level 4’s still had a great Sectional meet on Sunday. The whole team of nine strong gymnasts are now all qualified and headed for States.  

The elevated vault runway at the Evergreen gym produced some high flying Vault scores, with each of the girls scoring in the 9’s Sunday. Summer had a strong day, placing 3rd on Beam, 4th on Vault, and easily qualifying for States.  Maddie F. continued to shine on Vault, with a 9.475 for first place. Bars were strong for many of the girls, with Jessica capturing 1st in her division with a 9.45 and Hanna in her division with a 9.775. Allie’s consistency continued, as she earned 9’s on all events and captured 2nd in the All-Around. Hope also had another strong meet, taking 1st on Beam, Floor, and in the All-Around. Hanna had a blazing personal best meet, scoring 38.075 in the All-Around, including a 9.6 on Vault (that was incorrectly flashed as a 9.9 leaving the entire gym breathless).  

The Level 4 Team's hypothetical team score would have been 112.375! Yipes! With this kind of consistency and depth, the girls are optimistic that they'll make a strong showing at States in two weeks!

The Level 5 Team continues to grow stronger. At this second Spring Sectional, each of the four girls reaching the 9-zone. Scoring on Vault was tougher. Anne took 1st on Vault with a 9.1. On Bars, the team was hot. Emma took 1st in her age group with career high 9.30. Team mate Anne took 1st in her age group with a 9.275. Jackie took 2nd with a 9.1. Jess P took 4th. Beam saw another burst of 9s. Anne 1st with a 9.45, Jackie and Jess P took 2nd and 3rd with 9.1 and 9.0. Floor also scored a little tougher. Anne took 1st with 9.125, Jackie took 3rd with a 9.025.

Each of the four had already qualified for States at the first Sectional, but it's clear that the Level 5 girls are gaining speed. They each pushed their All-Around scores higher and pushed their (hypothetical) team score higher too! Go get 'em 5s!

Despite the cold north country winter, the Level 6 Team was blazingly hot at this second Sectional.

Vault scored a bit tougher, as level 5s had found, but Jamie wasn't going to stand for that. She performed a very crisp vault, scoring a 9.60. Naturally, that took 1st place. On Bars, Amanda stayed very crisp, scoring a 9.425, to take 1st place. Madison took 1st on Bars in the younger division.

On Beam, the whole team was in the 9-zone. Madison and Morgan took 1st and 2nd with 9.30 and 9.15. Jamie took 1st in the 13+ group, but team mates Amanda and Mackenzie were close behind her. On Floor, all the girls were impressive, again all scoring in the 9s. Madison took 1st in the younger group with a 9.35. Morgan scored a 9.10. Amanda took 1st in the 13+ group with a 9.4, with Mackenzie close behind her with a 9.20.

The 6s' All-Arounds were higher than the previous Sectional. Every girl got up for awards. Madison and Morgan got up for 1st and 4th. Amanda, Jamie and Mackenzie swept 1st, 2nd and 3rd. (they keep doing that) Their hypothetical team score was a scorching 111.00! Watch out States. This Level 6 Team is seriously in the running.