Sectional 2: Rehearsal for States

The OTW Level 7 Team was looking good at this second Sectional of the season, held at Atlantic. Since all the girls had already qualified at the first Sectional, this meet was more of a dress rehearsal for States. It was a good session.
The 7s started the rotation on Floor. They wasted no time proving that they were going to be a force to be reckoned with. Amanda took 1st in the 13-14 age group with a 9.40. Mackenzie took 1st in the 15+ with a 9.425. All of them placed in the top three on Floor. On Vault, the team stayed hot. Three girls took 1st place ribbons, Madison with a 9.25, Amanda with a 9.35 and Mackenzie with a 9.20. Jamie and Morgan were not far behind, also scoring in the 9s and taking 2nd and 3rd. On Bars, the scores were respectable. Jamie took 2nd with a 9.15, as did Amanda with a 9.10. Morgan also scored a 9.10. Beam proved elusive. Nonetheless, Jamie took 1st in the 15+ group. Mackenzie took 2nd with a 9.025.

Ah, but in the All Around, every single one of the team scored in the 36s, taking either 1st or 2nd (or both!) in their age groups. Their overall (hypothetical) team score of 110.05 suggests that they'll be contenders at States. No doubt the boosters' own number-cruching forecaster, Jim Nast, will be chiming with an armchair analysis of how the 7s stack up.

Go 7s! You're looking great!

The OTW Level 8 Team was having a somewhat mixed day, but still did rather well overall. This is where the depth and diversity of the team factors in. Even though lacking the higher scores of a missing gymnast, the team posted a hypothetical team score a full point above their season-to-date average.

The 8s followed the 7s, starting the rotation on Floor. Kayla led the scoring with a 9.35, taking 2nd. LaNaya posted a 9.225, taking 3rd. Allison's 9.175 rounded out the team total. Jess and Courtney were right in there too, with a 9.1 and a 9.0. Vault was not quite as strong an event for the 8s as it has been at other meets, but team put in respectable scores. Alyssa led the way with a 9.20, Allison and Jess came in with a 9.05 and a 9.00. The 8s were in good form for Bars. Alyssa took 1st in the 13-14 age group with a 9.325, Allison took 3rd with a 9.175. LaNaya took 1st in the 15+ group with a 9.075, with team mate Melinda taking 2nd and Jess taking 3rd. Beam continues to be a challenge, and being the last event of the meet meant the team was coming into it a bit less fresh. Despite this, they looked a little better, even if the scores didn't quite reflect that. LaNaya led the scoring with a 9.30, taking 2nd. Alyssa took 1st in the 13-14s with a 9.125.

In the All Around, 13-14 yr olds, Alyssa, Allison and Kayla took 2nd, 3rd and 4th. In the 15+, LaNaya and Jess took 2nd and 4th. Once all the scores are in for both sessions, I'm sure Jim Nast will be doing some of his predict-ifying on how things look for the Level 8 Team, both for States and the prospects for Regionals.

4s 2nd at States

The OTW Level 4 Team put out an amazing effort at this year's Spring State Meet. They pushed their own limits and scored a whopping 113.025. The 1st place team scored 113.050. Only .025 difference! You can't get any closer to championship material than that. Congratulations 4s. A totally impressive performance.

For highlights, everyone was sticking the Vault. Ellie scored her best of the meet on Vault, with a 9.125. Emma took the gold with a 9.625. Maddy took silver with a 9.55. Summer nailed the Vault too, scoring a 9.35. In the 10 yr old age group, Jordan and Jessica took gold and silver. Bars also saw some high scores, but the competition was tougher there. Jordan took the bronze with a 9.625, just to give you an idea of the talent that gathers at States. It was pretty much the same on Beam. Emma took the silver in her age group. Summer took the silver in her age group with a 9.30. In the 10 yr olds, Jordan took silver. On Floor, Emma took the gold with a 9.25. Maddy scored a 9.10. Jordan took the gold and Jessica took the bronze. In the All Around Emma took the gold in the 8 yr old group. Jordan took the gold in the 10s.

A most inspiring meet, ladies. You all have a LOT to be proud of.

6s take 3rd at States

The OTW Level 6 Team took home the 3rd place team trophy from this year's Spring State Meet, held in Dover. The 6s were up against a field of excellent gymnasts from around the state, but they put up an equal effort, with two of our 6s becoming State Champions. Nicole is State Champion on Beam and Floor and All Around in her age group. Emily is State Champion on Bars. Anne is State Champion in All Around in her age group.

A few of the highlights include, Anne taking the bronze medal on Vault with a 9.075. Allie took 4th on Bars with a 9.15. Emily took the gold with a 9.45. On Beam, Jackie took 5th with a 9.35, Anne the silver with a 9.30. On Floor, Jackie scored a 9.125. Emily took the bronze with a 9.225. Nicole took the gold with a 9.0, and Anne took the silver.

Their combined team score of 109.50 earned them the 3rd place team trophy. Good going, 6s. We're proud of you.

5s Take 3rd At States

OTW's Level 5 Team was coming on strong at this Spring State Meet. Since this was the State Meet, it was only natural that there were a lot of talented gymnasts on hand. The 5s were right in there, in a very VERY close battle for 1st. As it was, they were only a quarter point out of 1st and only .15 out of 2nd.

For highlights, Hanna is State Champion on Vault, Bars, Floor and All Around with a 37.050. Allie is State Champion on Beam with an impressive 9.625. Emma took home the bronze medal on Beam with a 9.50. Madison took home the silver medal on Vault with a 9.05. Hope is State Champion on Vault. Sydney had an excellent Beam routine, scoring 9.275. All of the 5s were showing the strength they've been developing all season.

Way to go, ladies! You're an awesome team.

American Flyer: Every Team Wins Trophy

There was some very VERY talented competition at this year's American Flyer's Cup Invitational up in Portland Maine. The teams from Virginia, Excalibur, were very good. The teams from NEGX in Connecticut were even better. Even amid all that power, every one of the OTW teams took home a team trophy. THAT was pretty awesome. The 4s competed Friday. On Saturday, the 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s and 10s competed. On Sunday, the Level 5s had their turn.

The Level 4 Team was scoring big, taking home gold, silver and bronze medals in all four events. Emma took gold in Vault with a 9.60. Maddy took the gold in her age group too. On Bars, Emma took gold again. Ellie and Maddy took silver. Jordan took the bronze. On Beam, Emma took the silver, Ellie the bronze. Maddy and Jessica took home medals too, with a 9.05 and a 9.20. On Floor, it was Emma again at the top with a 9.40. Jordan took the bronze with a 9.20. In the All Around, Emma took 1st, Maddy 2nd, Ellie and Jessica took 4th and 7th. Their overall team score of 110.70 won them the 3rd place team trophy.

The Level 5 Team was especially hot on Sunday morning. Everyone one of them scored in the 9s on Vault and took home a medal for it. Madison won the silver with a 9.35. Hanna and Emma won bronzes in their age groups, also with 9.35s. On Bars, Hope was the star, taking the gold with a 9.35, Hanna took the bronze with a 9.25. Beam was not quite as hot, but still respectable. Allie scored a 9.15, taking home the 4th place medal. On Floor, Hanna wowed the judges, scoring a 9.475 and taking home the gold. Madison scored a 9.15, good for the bronze. All the 5s got up to receive medals for Floor. In the All Around, Hope took the 1st place trophy. Hanna and Madison took home 2nd place trophies. Allie, Emma and Sydney all took home medals for their All Around scores too. Their team score, which everyone one of them contributed to, was 110.025. This won them the 2nd place team trophy.

The Level 6 Team was equally well balanced and strong. Every one of the the OTW 6s contributed to their team score. On Vault, Anne took the gold with a 9.15. Emily took the silver with a 9.05. Ally also medaled with a 9.05. On Bars, Ally led the charge, taking the gold. Anne also took gold on Bars. All the 6s were up for medals on Bars. On Beam, Hanna again took gold, Nicole won the silver with a 9.125. Emily took the bronze with a 9.15. Ally took 4th with a 9.05. On Floor, Ally took the lead with a 9.25. Anne also took the silver, with Emily taking the bronze. IN the All Around, Anne and Ally took the 1st place trophies in their age groups. Emily took the 2nd place trophy. Jackie took 4th. Their team score of 107.925 won them the 2nd place team award, only narrowly missing 1st by 0.3 points! Now that's close.

The Level 7 Team was gangbusters on Vault. Every one of them scoring 9s. Madison took the gold with a 9.50. Amanda also took gold with a spectacular 9.70! Mackenzie took silver in the 14 yr old group with a 9.60. Jamie took the bronze with a 9.60 in the 15 yr old age group. This should give you an idea of how tough the competition was. On Bars, Mackenzie took the gold with a 9.20, but all of her team mates got up for medals too. Beam was a little less hot, but Mackenzie took the silver, nonetheless, and Madison took the bronze with a 9.025. On Floor, the heat was back on again. Mackenzie took the gold with a 9.475. Madison took a silver, Amanda took the bronze. Morgan took home a medal on Floor with a 9.25. In the All Around, each of the girls were up on the platform. Mackenzie and Madison took 1st in their age groups. Jamie took 2nd in hers. Amanda and Morgan took home medals in theirs. Their overall team score of 109.70 secured the 3rd place team trophy for them.

The Level 8 Team needed their considerable skill and depth to run with Excalibur and NEGX. Kayla was her usual very impressive self on Vault, scoring a 9.50 and the gold. Shilanna took the silver with a 9.15 in the 16 yr old group. Melinda took the bronze. In the 14-15 group, Alyssa took the bronze with a 9.35. Allison took 4th with a 9.25. On Bars, Shilanna led the charge with a 9.325. Allison scored a 9.05. Kayla, LaNaya and Alyssa each scored 9.0s. On Beam, it was LaNaya's turn to lead. She took the silver in the 14-15s with a 9.15. Shilanna took the gold in the 16s with a 9.125. On Floor, the Level 8s were in good form. It was Courtney's turn to lead. She took the gold with a 9.20. Shilanna took a silver, LaNaya took a bronze, but all the girls were up for medals on Floor. In the All Around, Shilanna took 1st in the 16 yr olds. In the 14-15s, it was Alyssa, LaNaya, Kayla and Courtney taking 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th. Allison took 5th. Their team score of 110.20 took home the 3rd place trophy, but they were within a point or so of 1st. A very close contest.

A very impressive showing, all in all. Not to count any chickens, but this strength bodes well for the upcoming State Meets. Keep up the good work girls!

(BTW: We're still waiting for scores for the 9s and 10s. If you have some, send 'em in. Email us. Thanks to Mary, Fred, Al and Trish for help with the scores.)

Sectional #2 in Review

OTW's Level 4 Team is simply on fire. They all outperformed themselves at this second Spring Sectional. Once again, the 4s were in great form on Vault. Every one of them scored in the 9s. Maddy led the blitz with a 9.55, tying for 2nd. The Vault was Summer's best event too, with a 9.175. On Bars, the 9s were flying again. Emma took 1st in the 6-8 yr old group with a 9.45, but Ellie was not far behind with a 9.175. Jordan tied for 3rd in the 9-10 group with a 9.50. On Beam, it was pretty much the same picture. Maddy, Jordan and Jessica swept the platform, taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd. On Floor, Emma took 2nd with a 9.30. Maddy, Jordan and Jessica were together again on the platform, taking 2nd, 3rd, 4th. In the All Around, OTW blue was at top. Emma took 1st in the 6-8s. Ellie took 4th. In the 9-10s, it was again Jordan, Jessica and Maddy taking the top spots. Their hypothetical team score of 111.750 was even higher than last time. Sakes! What a blazin' batch of 4s!

OTW's Level 5 Team had a mixed day at this second Sectional, held at Brentwood. In some cases their scores were improved over the first Sectional. In other cases about the same. On Vault, the team showed some improvements. Hope took 1st in the 11-12 yr old group. Hanna and Madison took 2nd and 3rd in the 9-10s. On Bars, Emma turned in a very clean routine for a 9.175. Hope took 1st again in her age group. On Beam, it was Allie's turn to be the star. She took 1st with a 9.025. Sydney scored well too, taking 4th. On Floor, Hope topped the winner's platform again. Hanna took 2nd with a 9.05. Madison took 4th with a 9.00. Cassie, who showed notable improvements, scored her best on Floor. In the All-Around, it was no surprise that Hope took 1st. Emma, Hanna, Allie and Madison took 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th.

OTW's Level 6 Team showed improvements on all four events. They were stronger on Vault, compared to the first Sectional. Anne scored a 9.175. Ally took 1st in the 11-12 yr old group with a 9.00. Emily took 3rd. On Bars, all of the turned up the heat. Emily took 1st with a 9.00. Jackie took 4th. On Beam, the team's performance was pretty close to last time, though this time, Jackie took 1st with a 9.175. On Floor, their scores were overall higher. Ally scored a 9.075. Emily took 2nd. In the All Around, the blue ribbons were flying. Nicole, Anne, Ally, and Emily took 1st in their age groups. Jackie was close behind with a 3rd. Their team score improved by well over a point.

Looking good, ladies. Next stop, Maine!