Tag Day a big success

This "Tag Day" was such a big success that we needed an armored car to hold all the funds the girls raised. ...okay, not really, but almost.

We can't report a final total yet, as some of the last cans won't be turned in until Monday. But even at this first counting, the girls collected far above the figure we were shooting for.

Many thanks to you girls who stood outside the doors and spoke with the people of Plaistow. You did a great job. Some of you are clearly going to become excellent public speakers and sales managers. Thanks, too, to all you parents who helped with the chaperon duties and driving the girls to their posts. Together, girls and parents, the booster club had a very successful fundraising event. It's been a great year.

Pizza Party with UNH team

Friday evening, the UNH gymnastics team came to Off the Wall gym. They were part of the pizza party that LaNaya won back in February. There was pizza, of course, as you can see, and some chatting with the UNH girls. The UNH girls couldn't stay long, however, as they are college students and they have finals coming up soon. Still, it was fun for the OTW girls to get to meet college gymnasts up close. There were also posters and books for our girls to take home. Thanks UNH team.

OTW going to Nationals!

On to the "big time!" Both Becca and Bri qualified to go on to Nationals. They faced a gym full of the best gymnasts from the seven states that make up USAG's Region Six. Despite the pressure, both Becca and Bri pushed themselves harder.

Becca tied for 2nd on the Vault, in the Senior C group, with a 9.05. She topped all seven state's worth on Floor with a 9.50, to win 1st place. She placed 2nd in the All-Around with a 36.175.

Bri competed in the Senior A group, in a different session. She performed her Beam routine very cleanly. Her 9.55 took 1st place. Bri's Floor routine was also very clean and impressive. She scored a 9.65, which tied for 1st place with a girl from Gym Revolution out of Connecticut. Bri's All-Around of 36.750 was a solid 1st place win.

Both girls now prepare for the Big Time event: Nationals. Eastern Nationals will be held in Kissimmee, Florida on May 11 through 13. Our two OTW gymnasts are part of 62 girls competing as the Region 6 Team.

Way to go Becca and Bri! Pretty exciting stuff for the whole OTW team.

Alyssa bound for Regionals

Alyssa took 2nd in the All-Around at this year's State Championships in the 13-14 yr old division. This means she's definitely one of the seven girls in her age group which will represent New Hampshire at the Level 8 Regionals. Way to go, Alyssa! OTW's amazing 8 took the gold on Bars with a fantasitc routine, 9.60. She took the silver on Beam with a 9.10. She's seen here with her red and white New Hampshire Team jacket.

This year's Level 8 Regionals will be held on May 5 & 6, in the University of Rhode Island's Keaney Gymnasium, Kingstown, Rhode Island. Go get 'em Alyssa!

(Photo by Josh)

7s State Champs Again!

OTW's Level 7 Team clinched the championship banner for a second year, despite some very strong competition at this year's State Championships. This year's state competition was divided by age groups, into two sessions. Kayla, Courtney, Hillary and Allison were in the first session. Melinda, LaNaya and Jess were in the second session. OTW Team mates from all the other levels were on hand to cheer (loudly) from the sidelines.

The girls of the first session were having a good day. Courtney was as solid as ever turning in three 9s and posting her season high All-Around, 36.300. (A good day to do that) Kayla, too, was hitting everything, 9.40 on Vault, 9.325 on Bars, and also pushed to her season high All-Around of 36.825. Allison was unstoppable on every event, putting her All-Around at 37.85. Hillary was a turbocharged scoring machine! 9.55 on Vault, 9.6 on Bars. Her All-Around was 37.575.

This foursome had amassed an outstanding tentative team score of 112.250 already. Team totals for Vault (28.625) and Bars (28.30) were already impressive. If anything, they left a little for their second session team mates to do on Beam and Floor. That's just what they did.

On Floor, the older girls added .375 to the team total. On Vault and Bars there wasn't much to do, but they added .05 from Vault and .175 on Bars anyhow. They boosted the team score for Beam by .275. All totaled, the OTW 7s' final team score was a season-high 113.125.

While that was certainly impressive, the competition was not watching idly by. The NEGTC girls had apparently been drinking lots of energy drinks. Girls who had been a bit "off" at Sectionals were solidly "on" at States. They were scoring some very big numbers. OTW Boosters who tried to track the other teams scores wondered if NEGTC might have scored enough to squeak into first. It seemed that close.

At awards, there were many medals around OTW necks. In the 12 yr old division, Allison took gold in everything except one silver on Beam. Allison is the State Champion in the 12 yr olds. Hillary took home two golds for Vault and Bars, a silver on Floor. Hillary is State Champion in the 13-14 age group. Kayla took silver on Vault and All-Around. Melinda took the silver on Bars. Courtney ranks 5th in the state on Floor and All-Around. LaNaya took the silver on Beam and Floor, and the Bronze in the All-Around. Jess took home gold on Vault, Bars and Floor, and silver in the All-Around.

As the announcer read off the team scores, the OTW 7s all assembled into their traditional "pinky ring". Atlantic took 3rd with a 111.675. When the announcer called NEGTC as 2nd with a 112.40, all the OTW girls burst into excited smiles and high-fives. They had done it again! Lightning might not strike twice but solid skill sure does! Congratulations girls! Feel free to scream (though outdoors would be nice) :-)

9s Strong at States

OTW's Level 9 Team tied for 2nd at this year's State Meet, held at Atlantic. They tied with Granite State. Atlantic's team walked away with 1st place by over 5 points. Photos of 9s at States, courtesy of Janel!

On an individual level, Becca took 1st place on Beam with a 9.275 in the 15-16 yr old group. She took 2nd in the All-Around with a 36.225. Bri took 1st on Floor with a show-stopping 9.625 -- the highest of the meet in all age groups. Kenna also got her best score of the meet on Floor.

Next stop, Regionals on Long Island.