7s States Forecast

This year's Level 7 State Meet is getting to be an even tighter horse race than it was before. Based on the scores from the Second Sectional, there are four teams at the top, and all within less than a half point of each other. Here's how they look:
Phantom -- At the top of the (hypothetical) team scores at the Sectional, Phantom's girls totaled up a 110.25. They're strongest in the 8-11 year old group, with two strong stars there. They were good on Vault and hot on Floor. Bars and Beam were not quite as strong. This is a young team with things to prove.
OTW -- A close second came OTW's Level 7 Team with a 110.05. As a team, they were heating up. They were fairly consistent across all four events, though showing a real flair on Floor.
Gym Ken -- A still-closer third came Gym Ken's girls. Totaling up a score of 110.00. They too were well balanced in the first three events, and showing a lot of flash on Floor.
Atlantic -- Just as close behind in fourth comes the Atlantic team with a 109.95. They too, like the two teams before them, have Vault , Bars and Beam rotations within a quarter point of each other. They too have some girls who can star on Floor.

Only a bit further back come the teams from Flipz with a 108.925 and Granite State with a 107.6. Any one of these top four teams could be taking home the banner this year. They each have their stars and specialists. Every one of them will be pulling out their best efforts. With scores this close, the banner could ride on the littlest elements of technique.

OTW's chances for a banner again this year? It could happen. Phantom, Gym Ken and Atlantic all have good teams this Spring. The OTW 7s have been improving every week. At the Sectional, they had some stellar moments, but they also had a few rough edges where they've done better at other meets. This suggests that they have more power they can tap into. They have what it takes. Go get 'em 7s! You CAN do it!

Level 9s Take 3rd at States

OTW's little Level 9 Team proved they had spunk. Not only did each of them qualify for Regionals, they took 3rd place at States. We'll post more on the scores and state champion info when it becomes available. For now, Congrats Kayla, Alyssa and Allison. Way to go!

All 9s & 10s to Regionals

All of the OTW Level 9 and Level 10 girls qualified to go on to Regionals. At this year's 9/10 State Meet, held at Atlantic on Sunday, all three of our Level 9 girls posted qualifying scores. Becca easily posted a qualifying score in Level 10. Bri, who injured her ankle at practice on Friday, was qualified via petition.

Here they are in their sporty black and white Regionals warm-up jackets. (thanks to Gail and Rita for photos) Behind are the proud coaches, Paul, Liz and Becky.

Congratulations girls! Now it's on to Regionals.

2nd Sectional:Field Toughens

At the 2nd Sectional for the optional teams, the competition is clearing getting tougher in this run-up to States. Of course, the good news which shouldn't be overlooked, is that everyone on the Level 7 and 8 teams qualified for States. Just how things might look for States is a topic for our resident forecaster, Jim Nast. His report will come later. For now, here are the results from the second session of this 2nd Sectional.

Level 7 Action
It was ribbons-for-everyone, but none of them came easy. There were many talented gymnasts on hand, who were trying their hardest in this rehearsal for States. In the 8-11 age group, Jackie and Nicole made their marks. Nicole took 5th on Bars, but dominated the Beam with a stunning 9.525 routine to claim the blue ribbon. Jackie took the white 3rd place ribbon with a 9.00. On Floor, it was Jackie's turn to shine. Her 9.375 took 4th. (This gives you an idea of how tough the competition was.) In the 12 yr old group, Mikayla was a regular member of the top three, taking the 3rd place ribbons on Bars, Beam, Floor and All Around. In the 13-14 age group, it was Ali's turn to dominate. She took 2nd on Vault, 3rd on Bars and the blue ribbons on Beam, Floor and the All Around. In the 15+ age group, they only went out one place. If they had done two places, it would have been Amanda and Jamie hogging the top of the podium. Both were hot stuff on Vault and Floor, especially. They did take 1st and 2nd in the All Around.

Level 8 Action
It was great to have Jess back with the team after her prolonged recovery. She was far from rusty. In fact, Jess led the 3-girl team on Vault. LaNaya took the red 2nd place ribbon on Bars (which was being judged rather strictly at this meet). Beam was less kind to all three of our 8s. On Floor, however, they were all at their best. Melinda scored her best of the meet on Floor. Jess took the 4th place ribbon with a 9.2. LaNaya took the blue with a 9.4.

With just two weeks until States, all the 7s and 8s will be polishing up their routines. From this Sectional, they could see that they'll need to be at their best. States is going to require their best. Go get 'em girls!

Spring States: 4s, Emily Beam Champ

OTW's Level 4 Team competed on Saturday, as all of the best young gymnasts of New Hampshire gathered in Bow. The competition was very strong. All Arounds in the high 36s and 37s were not rare. Amid all that skill and talent was our little team of three.

Emily was having an "on" day. She scored 9s on everything. Most noteworthy was her 9.375 on Beam, which made her New Hampshire's State Beam Champion. Sarah was having a good day too, scoring three 9s and an 8.95. Her best was a 9.20 on Vault. Paige had a nice Bars routine, scoring a 9.15. (Individual placings are unavailable at this time. NH-USAG's listings show place in all sessions combined.)

Congratulations Emily. It's been great to see you all becoming such strong gymnasts.

Spring States: 5s, Maddy Floor Champion

OTW's Level 5 Team took 4th place of the 15 teams competing in the New Hampshire State Meet. They almost tied for 3rd place, scoring only 0.025 behind 3rd. The 5s were a bit off their usual on Vault, but in the running on the other three events. Sydney posted 9-something scores on Bars, Beam and Floor. On Bars, the team posted a respectable rotation score. Ellie led her team with a 9.15 on Bars. On Beam, the team posted their best rotation. Summer posted her highest score of the meet on Beam. Maddy led her team on Floor with very nice 9.225 which tied her for the top score in the state.

Congratulations Maddy and the whole Level 5 Team!

Spring States: Emma Bars Champ

At this year's Spring State Meet, the Level 6 Team put on their best effort. Both Hope and Hanna competed, despite their recent injuries, and managed to do rather well for themselves. The hot news is that Emma is the NH State Champion on Bars! Her impressive routine scored a 9.425 to grab her the gold. She wasn't the only one wearing a medal on Sunday. Hope was also hot on Bars, taking the silver with a 9.15. Hanna also did her best on Bars, taking the bronze with a 9.05. The Vault was the team's second strongest event. Hope tied for the silver. Hanna, Emma and Maddie all got to go up to the winners platform for Vault too. Overall, the team took home the 6th place team trophy -- a nice accomplishment for a team in recovery.

Congratulations, Emma, and the whole 6 team. Your determination is inspiring.

(Thanks Pat, for the scores and photos)

Flyers Rewards

At this year's American Flyers Cup Invitational, the OTW girls came away with a batch of individual rewards. There were some amazingly talented gymnasts at this meet, most notably the girls of NESA, from Westwood, Mass. Scores of 9.5, 9.6 and 9.7 were not uncommon. There were also teams from NEGX from Connecticut and Excalibur from Virginia. The competition was more than tough. It was intimidating. Nonetheless, our OTW girls went out and gave it their all. The Level 7 Team competed in the 11am session on Saturday. The 8s followed in the 3pm session. The 9s and 10s wrapped up the day in the 7pm session. All of the sessions were running late, so it got to be a long day.

Level 7 Action
The 7s were having a mixed day and feeling the absence of Jamie. She was away at the High School Regionals. On Vault and Floor, they were strong. Their Bars and Beam weren't bad, but with the tough competition, doing pretty-good was likely to get overshadowed. Ali led the charge on Vault, scoring a nice 9.3. She got the 5th place medal for that. Amanda also won a medal on Vault with a 9.15. On Bars, Ali took home a medal too. Things started to look up on Beam. Ali took the bronze. Mikayla took 4th (in the 12 yr old group) and Jackie took a medal too, in the 11 yr old group. On Floor, Ali was again the standard bearer, scoring a 9.3, taking 5th. Amanda and Jackie also took home medals on Floor.
During the handstand contest, which is the traditional fun contest before awards, Nicole outlasted all the others in her age group with a rock-solid handstand, to win the handstand bar! Way to go, Nicole!

Level 8 Action
The 8s were also missing a member, as Jess was also competing at the High School Regionals. Melinda had her full on Vault in good form. She took home the bronze medal for Vault. LaNaya was having a good day on Bars, scoring a 9.35 for the gold. On Beam, she took the gold with a 9.1. On Floor, she was just edged to silver by former OTW girl, Mackenzie. LaNaya took 1st in the All Around for the 16+ age group. LaNaya also won the handstand contest. The announcer was teasing her that "there were still two gymnasts up..." to make her keep her handstand longer. He finally had to tell her she won a long time ago.

Level 9/10 Action
The field of competitors in the 9/10 session was almost half what the 7s and 8s had. Many of the competitors were from the high powered gyms too. Undaunted, the OTW 9s and 10 (Bri was in the stands cheering, but not competing), did their best and took home a few medals each. On Vault, Becca wowed everyone with her amazing Vault. She scored a 9.65 and (naturally) took home the gold for that. Kayla also took home a medal for her Tsuk. On Bars, Becca took the bronze. Alyssa and Allison medaled too. Kayla's Bar score wasn't flashed. On Beam, Becca took the silver with a 9.0 -- and that with one fall! Alyssa took the gold in 9s 14-15 yr old group. Allison took the silver. On Floor, Becca took the bronze. Kayla medaled too, with a 9.05. In the All Arounds, Becca took 2nd, Allison took 5th.

Great meet, ladies. You were all great to watch in action, and holding your own against the top gymnasts from these other big gyms. We couldn't have been more proud.

Sectional 2: Qualified Success

Each of the OTW Compulsory girls who competed at this 2nd Sectional, have qualified for States. Congratulations girls! OTW's 4s, 5s and 6s all showed improvements and posted some very nice scores. Each girl took home ribbons to prove it, too. There was plenty of red, white and blue flying from OTW hands.

Level 4 Action
The team of Emily and Sarah managed to take home most of the red ribbons from this level. Emily had 9s all across the board, her highest being a 9.1 on Vault (red, 2nd place ribbon). She took 2nd in the All Around for her age group. Sarah turned in a great Beam routine for a 9.375, also 2nd place, and took 2nd in the All Around of her age group. Paige scored her best on Vault, but took 5th Beam, to round out the Level 4 power on Beam. Paige easily qualified for States. It's too early to tell, but with a hypothetical team score of 107.375, the OTW 4s could be in line for a trophy at States. Not a bad deal at all for OTW's littlest team.

Level 5 Action
The 5s were similarly coming on strong at this Sectional. Sydney only competed on Bars and Beam due to her sore back, but she made sure everyone knew she was still hot, by taking 1st place blues on both events. Maddy was in great form at this meet. She tied for 1st on Vault, took 4th on Bars, and performed a great Beam routine to score a 9.30 (2nd). Her Floor routine was just a nice, 9.275, to take the blue. Maddy took 1st in the All Around for her age group. Summer was in good form too. She took 4th on the Vault, but added to the OTW dominance of Beam with her own 9.20, to take 3rd. Summer qualified for States. Ellie was in the front runners of her age group, taking 1st on Vault, 3rd on Vars, 2nd on Beam, and 6th on Floor. This put Ellie in 2nd in the All Around. Fist full of ribbons! Their hypothetical team score of 107.00 also suggests a trophy in their future.

Level 6 Action
With Hanna out with a sore wrist, it was just three OTW 6s competing. Nonetheless, they also dominated the winners platform (see photo above). Emma took red 2nd place ribbons on Vault, Beam and Floor, but took the 1st place blue on Bars. Emma also topped the platform in the All Around. Hope took the blue on Vault, red on Bars and 2nd in the All Around. Maddie took two blues, Bars and Floor, and a white 3rd on Vault as well as 3rd in the All Around. They might be a small team, but they've got what it takes.

With just two weeks away to Compulsory States, the OTW teams are looking like they're ready to face the competition. Keep up the good work girls. You're looking sharp.

(Thanks to Roger, Rita and Pat for the scores)