New Faces on Team: Tess

Tess was SOOO ready to be on team she moved from Advanced Pre-Team to the Level 5 Team this year! That is quite the achievement! Tess is a fourth grade student whose favorite event is vault. She was thrilled to place 4th on beam at the Fall Harvest Meet. She received her highest score to date (9.0) on beam at the Halloween meet. Tess enjoyed competing in the first season and is looking forward to competing in the New Year.

Tess really enjoys being on team and has quite the sense of humor. Despite the freezing cold weather Tess volunteered for a canning shift in December. Her constant smile and sense of humor made it a pleasant task. Tess’ favorite day of practice is Friday because she gets to work on all the events. She thinks her teammates especially Caitlin are very funny and help to make practice fun. She also thinks the coaches are funny! Tess said the funniest thing that has happened to her at practice is that her grip slipped and she “flew” off the high bar!

Welcome to team Tess. We look forward to seeing your smiling face in the gym for many, many years!

Snowstorm Classic Meet

It wouldn't be the Snow Storm Classic without snow, and that's just what there was. The saturday sessions were spared blanket of white stuff, but it came early Sunday morning for those sessions to enjoy.

The Level 5s had their high points and struggles. Emily scored her highest on Floor, as did Sarah and Paige. Bars was proving troublesome for all the 5s. Tess had her best showing on Beam.

The Level 6s also had some personal victories and challenges. Ellie scored her best on Bars, as did Jordan. Maddy was impressive on Vault with a 9.30. Allie was also strongest on Vault.

The Level 7s were strongest on Vault. Emma scored a 9.375, taking the silver, while Mikayla scored a 9.175. Both were strong on Bars too, scoring a 9.05 and a 9.025. Beam was problematic for both.

The Level 8s took home some medals and looked strong. Nicole took the silver on Beam with 9.00. Jackie scored her best of the meet on Bars. Ali took the gold on Beam with a 9.10 and silver in the All Around. Jamie took home two silvers for Bars and Beam, and the Bronze in the All Around.

The Level 9s were not having their best meet. Falls and stumbles seemed to haunt them. Nonetheless, the 9s also took home some medals, even with the Atlantic girls dominating on their home turf. Kayla and Allison did great vaults and both took silvers in their age groups, with a 9.30 and 9.275. Alyssa took the Bronze on Beam.

Merry Christmas everyone. Rest up. The crazy meet-filled days of January will soon be upon us.

Level 4 - 6 State Meet - December 5, 2009

The State Meet was held December 5, 2009 in Hampstead. A total of 6 gymnasts, 2 from each level proudly represented Off the Wall.

In the Level 4 6 – 8 age group AA Taylor placed 6th (34.650) and Krystiana placed 8th (34.325). Krystiana’s beautiful floor routine (9.125) won the silver. Her 9.1 vault was awarded 7th place. Taylor placed 5th on vault (9.2), 6th on beam (8.4),and 7th on bars (8.75).

In the Level 5 7-8 age group AA Emily scored 33.0. She placed 7th on beam (8.9) and 8th on floor (8.7). In the Level 5 9 -10 age group AA Caitlin scored 32.250. Caitlin’s totally awesome beam routine won the bronze (9.4)! She placed 8th on floor (8.8).

Maddy and Allie competed in the Level 6 11 – 12 age group. In the AA Maddy scored 33.125 and Allie scored 32.250. Maddy placed 4th on floor (8.925). Allie placed 6th on beam (8.95).

Congratulations on the 2009 season. Best of luck in the 2010 season just around the corner!

Sectional #2 - November 22, 2009

Sectional #2 was held November 22, 2009 in Brentwood. Sectionals are a great opportunity to fine tune routines and see what the competition looks like for the State Meet; so this write-up focuses on the all sessions combined results for each Level. Not only was Krystiana the lone OTW Level 4 competing in this Sectional looking at the results for all sessions combined she was one of the few Level 4s to achieve two scores above 9! Competing against 35 other gymnasts in the 6 – 8 age group representing 8 NH gyms Krystiana placed 9th on vault with a 9.05 and 4th on floor with a 9.075. She finished 18th in the AA with 34.4.


Emily, Tess, Sarah, and Caitlin competed for the Level 5s. In the 7 – 8 age group Emily placed 12th AA with a 33.1. She placed 7th on vault with 8.175 and 3rd on beam with 8.975. In the 9 – 10 age group AA Caitlin placed 9th with 33.750, Tess placed 16th with 32.275, and Sarah placed 18th with 31.975. Caitlin placed 3rd (9.15) on beam and 4th (8.8) on floor.

Ellie, Maddy, and Allie competed for the Level 6s. Jordan sat out to rest her knee. Ellie placed 9th AA in the 9 -10 age group. She placed 2nd (8.5) on bars. In the 11 – 12 age group AA Maddy placed 7th (34.175) and Allie placed 10th (33.55). Maddy won the gold with a beautiful 9.175 floor routine. She also placed 4th on bars (8.4). Allie’s awesome beam routine (9.05) was awarded 5th place. She also placed 6th (8.55) on floor.

Great job girls! We are looking forward to your achievements at the State Meet.

Snowflake Meet: Diamond in the Rough

The OTW Optional girls had a surprising win at this 2nd annual Snowflake meet at Granite State. The combined teams took home the first place trophy, topping Gym-Ken and Tri-Star's teams. The win was a bit of a surprise in that almost no one was having a "good meet". Falls and stumbles were common. Scores were significantly lower than last year, as tougher skill requirements and stricter judging rules took effect.

Yet, even in this rough context, each of the OTW optionals managed to shine. Every one of them got onto the podium and took home a medal. Together, they shone the brightest, taking home the gymnast-over-the-moon trophy.

In Level 7 Action: Emma, in her first meet as a 7, took 1st on Vault with a 9.20. Mikayla, competing as a 7 for now, took 1st on Bars with a 9.125. She took 2nd in the All Around with a 34.925.

In Level 8 Action: Either Nicole and Jackie were at the top of the platform for each event in the 8-11 year old group. Jackie took 1st place trophy in the All Around with a 35.125. Nicole took home the 2nd place trophy with a 34.000. Ali took 1st on Bars and Floor (a 9.275), and the 2nd place trophy in the All Around. In the 16+ age group, Jamie took home the 3rd place medals in Vault and Bars, and the 2nd place medal on Floor. She took home the 3rd place All Around trophy.

In Level 9 Action: Allison took 1st on Vault in the 14-15 age group. Alyssa took 1st on Bars. Alyssa took the 1st place trophy with a 34.125. Allison took the 2nd place trophy with a 33.650. In the 16+ age group, Kayla took 1st on Vault, Beam and Floor. LaNaya took 2nd on Floor. In the All Around, Kayla took 1st and LaNaya 2nd.

Good going girls. Sure, it was a rough start, but it was a good one! It's hard to argue with 1st place.