Vermont: Level 5 Wins 1st!

This was a terrific meet for OTW's Level 5 Team. They took on eight other teams and pushed their way to the top! They finished a full point higher than their nearest rivals, and took home the very tall 1st place trophy.

The 5s were solid on Vault. Hope took 1st in the senior division with a 9.145. Maddie took 1st in the junior-B group. The team was also hot on Bars. Emma took 1st with a 9.3. Hope took 2nd with a 9.2. Hanna also took 2nd in her age group with a 9.025. Cassie scored her best of the meet on Bars.

On Beam, the competition was toughest. Hanna tied for 2nd with a 9.1. Allie tied for 3rd in her age group. Hope took 2nd. Ah, but on Floor, the OTW 5s ruled. Hanna took 1st in her group with a beautifully clean routine, scoring a 9.6! Allie tied for 1st with a 9.2. Emma took 3rd with a 9.075. Hope also took 3rd in her group.

Red hot Hanna took 1st in the All Around. Hope took 2nd in her age group. Emma and Maddie shared 3rd in junior-B. Allie took 4th. Amid all these highlights, Cassie qualified for Sectionals.

Great going, girls. A well deserved victory.

(photo from Vermont Gymnastics)

Vermont: Level 8 Takes 1st

OTW's Level 8 Team got off to a bit of a rocky start at the Green Mountain Invitational. The 8s were the first session of the meet, and OTW was the first up on Floor. Technical trouble with the music took its toll, (much as it had in Hartford), but the OTW 8s didn't let a little adversity throw them off. They went on to win (quite handily) the 1st place trophy.

In the child division, Alyssa and Allison were regular fixtures on the winners' platform. They took 1st and 2nd on Vault, as well as 1st and 2nd on Bars, with 9.325 and 9.275. Beam posed a bit of a problem, but on Floor, they were back for 2nd and 3rd with 9.15 and 9.275. Naturally, the pair of Aces took 1st and 2nd in the All Around.

In the junior division, it was Kayla and Courtney going up for medals. Between them, they took 1st in all four events. Kayla took 1st on Vault and Bars. Courtney took 1st on Beam with a 9.175. Kayla took 1st on Floor with a 9.30. In the All Around, they were 1 and 2 again.

In the senior division, it was Shilanna's day to shine. Her Bars routine was great, winning her 1st with a 9.375. Her Beam routine was even better, scoring a 9.45 (1st) Jess added to the team score with her 9.175, 2nd place on Floor. LaNaya took 2nd on Bars with a 9.175. Melinda was strongest on Bars too, and took 4th. The four of them took 1st, 2nd, 4th and 7th in the All Around.

The Level 8 Team's depth really helped them keep up a high team score. In this case, almost 4 points ahead of the 2nd place team. Good show, ladies.

Vermont: Level 7 Takes 2nd

The Level 7 Team took home the 2nd place team trophy from this year's Green Mountain Invitational amid a crowd of 11 teams. The 7s were solid in all four events, though the Beam was giving them just a bit less satisfaction than usual.

In the junior-A division, Morgan and Madison took turns at the top of the podium. Madison took 1st on Vault with a 9.25. Morgan took 1st on Bars with a 9.225. On Beam, they took 3rd and 4th. On Floor, it was Morgan in 1st again with a 9.50 (Sakes!) and Madison with a 9.25.

In the junior-B division, Amanda took the bronze wit ha 9.20. Jamie scored a 9.25. On Beam, Jamie took the gold with 9.15. On Floor it was Mackenzie's turn at the top with a 9.275. The trio took 3rd, 4th and 5th in the All Around.

Their team score of 109.775 is impressive. Atlantic might have won 1st, but they'd better keep sharp. OTW's 7s are a force to be reckoned with.

Vermont: Level 4 Takes High 3rd

Of the nine Level 4 teams competing at this year's Green Mountain Invitational, the top five of those teams were all having good meets. In the end, it was a photo finish between the top three who were all within less than a point of each other. OTW's Level 4s scored an impressive 111.00 points, narrowly edged out of 2nd by NLG with 111.15. The winners, Champlain Valley had 111.975. So close.

The OTW 4s led the pack on Vault, Bars and Beam. It was only on Floor that the other teams had a chance.

Emma blew away the competition in the child age group. She took 1st in all events and the All Around .Her 9.7 on Vault was a definite boost. Her All Around of 37.825 was well over a point higher than the next girl. Ellie was powerful on Vault too. Her 9.550 won her the bronze medal.

Summer was the powerhouse of the junior A division. She scored a 9.50 on Vault, tying for 3rd, a 9.20 on Bars and a 9.35 on Beam, to take the gold medal. Jordan was the master of the junior B group. She dazzled on Vault with a 9.65 (2nd), and took 1st on Bars and Beam with a 9.375 and a 9.425. Her All Around of 36.85 took 2nd.

All together, the team of gymnasts is championship material for sure.

Vermont: Level 6 Takes 3rd

OTW's Level 6 Team came on strong at the Green Mountain Invitational late Saturday night. They placed 3rd as a team in a hotly contested race. With less than .7 points separating 1st and 3rd, the OTW 6s were clearly winner material. At this meet, the 6 team were really coming together as a team. Each of the five girls contributed at least two of their scores to their team's total. Where one was off, another was on.

Anne and Emily took the lead on Vault, scoring a 9.10 and 9.05. On Bars, Emily took 1st in the senior division with a 9.10. Jackie placed 3rd on Bars, Anne took 2nd. On Beam, the OTW 6s were hot. Emily took 2nd with a 9.35. Jackie took 3rd with a 9.30. Nicole took 4th with a 9.20. Ally was the floor star, taking 1st place with a 9.375. Jackie took 3rd with a 9.35. Nicole's 9.00 on Floor rounded out the set.

Great job, 6s. You're quite a team!

Vermont: Level 9 Action

There weren't too many Level 9 gymnasts at this year's Green Mountain Invitational, but Kenna represented the OTW teams well. She took the bronze medal for her Beam routine. Her floor routine was particularly well done, earning her the silver medal with a 9.05. She placed 3rd in the All Around in her age group. Good job, Kenna. Keep up the great work!

Vermont: Level 10 Action

Becca and Bri, our Level 10s, competed in the same session on Saturday as the 8s and 9s. This made it a bit of a three-ring-circus for OTW fans. There was plenty to see too. Becca was in her high-scoring mode, which is great to watch. She scored a 9.30 on Vault, taking 2nd. She took 2nd on Bars too. Her 9.15 on Beam was yet another silver medal, as was her 9.225 on Floor. Little surprise that she took 2nd in the All Around with an impressive 36.175.

Bri was the only one in her age group, but also turned in some fine routines. Her Beam routine scored a 9.025. Her Floor routine was as excellent as usual, scoring a 9.375.

Quite impressive, Bri and Becca.

Hartford: 7s Take First!

The OTW Level 7 Team brought home the 1st place eagle from this year's Northeast Invitational. Where other teams were finding scores in the 8s common, and 9s rare, everyone on the Level 7 team scored at least one 9. The team struggled a little on Beam, but stole the show on Floor.

Amanda was the team's hot ticket. She took the gold medal in three of the four events with a 9.25 on Vault, a 9.50 on Bars and a 9.35 on Floor. Mackenzie took the gold on Beam with a 9.20 and the silver on Floor with a 9.15. Jamie took silver on Vault and Bars with a 9.20 and 9.15. In the All Around for 14 year olds, these three swept the podium. Amanda 1st, Mackenzie 2nd, Jamie 3rd.

In the 12-13 year old group, Madison took home the gold on Floor with a 9.225 and the silver on Vault with a 9.15. Morgan took the bronze on Floor with a 9.15 and the bronze on Bars too. In the All Around, Madison took 2nd, Morgan 6th.

All these 9-something scores racked up their team total, winning them the 1st place team trophy. Last year, OTW's Level 7 Team won 1st place too. Okay, it's premature to be talking of dynasties, but either way, Paul's going to need some bigger trophy cases. Excellent job, ladies. Simply excellent!

Hartford: 5s Stay Tough

The OTW Level 5 Team faced a double threat of this year's Northeast Invitational -- 10 skilled teams (some of the rather large teams) from around the northeast AND there was very tough judging. Scores for almost everyone were typically in the 8s. Scores in the 7s were not uncommon. 9s were rare for any of the teams.

Despite the tough environment, the Level 5 team kept their competitive focus. They pulled together to cheer each other on. Several girls showed personal improvement -- even if the scores didn't show it.

Hanna was especially hot in Hartford. She took 1st place on Vault, Bars (with a 9.00) and Floor (with a 9.35). She took home the 2nd place trophy in the All Around. Allie took home medals in all four events, including the silver on Vault. Emma was sticking her routines well and took home three medals. Cassie looked her best on Floor, as did Madison. Hope took home a collection of medals, including the silver on Vault. Sydney, who is quickly getting up to speed on the Level 5 skills, also looked her best on Floor.

Good job, girls. Your team spirit is impressive.

Hartford: 6s Hold Their Own

The OTW Level 6 Team took their turn Saturday afternoon facing the tough going of this year's Northeast Invitational. 82 gymnasts from 21 gyms all around the northeast. There was a lot of skill in the building. Add to that, the tough (but consistent) judging and it was clear the 6s would see very few 9s this time around. Did they let it get them down? No. They just got to work and did their best.

At awards time, their effort was rewarded. Every one of them went home jingling with multiple medals. Nicole was a hot ticket on Floor. She scored a 9.20 and took the silver medal. Jackie was equally hot on Beam, scoring a 9.175. She took the silver on Vault and Bars, as well as the 2nd place trophy in the All Around. Ally's collection of medals included the bronze for Bars. Emily's medals included a 4th place finish on Bars.

Nice going 6s. You really shine under pressure.

Hartford: 8s' Good Bad Day

OTW's Level 8 Team took 2nd place eagle trophy in this year's Northeast Invitational, only narrowly edged out of 1st by the New Jersey team. This came as a bit of a surprise as the team was not having a particularly good day. The Beam, especially, was problematic. Almost everyone had a fall or serious wobble. It was not a good day on Beam. Clean landings on Vault were also proving elusive. Compounding this, the judging had been fairly strict too, so there were precious few 9s flashed. Given the overall lower scores and troubles, few expected to take home a team trophy of any size. During awards, it became apparent that things were not quite as bleak as it seemed.

In the Junior B group, Allison and Alyssa were often on the winners' platform beside each other. Allison tied for 4th on Vault. Alyssa took 3rd on Bars. Allison took the silver on Beam. Alyssa took the bronze on Floor. Alyssa took 3rd in the All Around, Allison 4th. In an evening of few 9s, Alyssa scored two: a 9.05 on Bars and a 9.00 on Floor.

In the Senior A group, it was Kayla and Courtney's turn, heading to the platform for every event. Kayla took the gold on Vault with a 9.05. She took the gold again on Bars. Courtney took the bronze on Beam. On floor, they took 6th and 8th. In the All Around, they stood beside each other: Kayla taking 2nd and Courtney the 4th place trophy.

In the Senior B group, Jess, Shilanna, LaNaya and Melinda took their turn. Shilanna took the gold medals in Vault and Bars (9.10 on Bars). Melinda took the bronze on Bars. Jess took home a gold, a silver and a bronze on Floor, Vault and Beam. LaNaya took the gold on Beam with a 9.20 and the silver on Bars. In the All Around, it was an OTW sweep of the top three -- LaNaya, Jess and Shilanna. Melinda took home an All Around trophy too.

After the individual awards, in which every girl won multiple medals and took home a trophy, they seemed to have done rather well for having a bad day. Still, it took them (and the parents) a bit off guard when they were called up as the 2nd place team. Way to go 8s! You're still good even on bad days.