Becca at Nationals

The scores for Nationals were posted very early Sunday morning. The Senior D group (Becca's group) were the last to get posted, naturally. Becca did her usual great stuff on Vault and Floor. She scored a 9.625 on Vault, tying for 15th place. She scored a 9.30 on Floor. Apparently, she had a problem on Bars, as that score was well below her average.

It's clear that the really talented gymnasts from all over the country were on had at the Junior Olympic Nationals. The gold on Vault went to a girl from Pennsylvania who scored a 9.8! Top honors on Floor was a 9.7 by a girl from Colorado. OTW's own Becca was right in there too, among the best of the best. What a great way to round out her last year in Junior Olympics. Now to welcome home the star of the OTW competitive teams.

Alyssa & Allison at Easterns

We got to have TWO level 9 gymnasts compete at Easterns, whre the very best Level 9 gymnasts from around the eastern half of the US compete. Alyssa qualified as part of the Senior 1 group directly. Allison and Kayla both qualified to be Alternates. At the last minute, a broken ankle in one of the Junior 7 team meant that Allison moved up to competitor. That's why she and Kayla were keeping their routines sharp. In the world of high-powered gymnastics, you just never know.

Alyssa turned in a solid performance. Her scores were in line with how she's been doing this season. Her All Around of 35.625 placed her 18th. Alyssa's highest placement was 13th on Beam with an 8.925. She scored a 9.025 on Floor. Allison competed in the Junior 7 group and made a good showing. Her highest placement was on Vault, where her 9.125 put her 11th.

Surely there will be stories to tell when they return. Congratulations girls.

Regionals Wrap

This wasn't quite the day for the Level 8 Senior New Hampshire team at this year's Level 8 Regionals competition. None of the team were having their best days. The quick bottom line is that the New Hampshire team was edged out of placing by the All-State Team. The meet itself had a lack of formality which one should expect with a regional competition. A high school gym, just one set of equipment, problems with score flashing and a balky CD player, all lent an atmosphere of a small local qualifier. Not quite the venue we would have liked as the send-off meet for our two seniors, Jess and Melinda. Nonetheless, during awards, Jess and Melinda were awarded plaques in recognition of their many years in USA Gymnastics. LaNaya wasn't having her best meet ever, but still took home two medals. She placed 8th on Beam with a 9.10 and 14th on Floor with a 9.075. Haley Anderson, Atlantic's top Level 8 senior, similarly placed 8th (Vault) and 14th (Beam).

Regional 8 Team Workout

On Saturday, all the Level 8 Regional qualifiers met at Off the Wall's gym for their Regional Team Workout. Of special interest to OTW fans is the "Seniors" team (15+) which includes our own Jess, LaNaya and Melinda. The rest of this Senior Team includes, Tori, Eliza and Hayley from Atlantic and another Haley from Lakes Region. They started out the practice with some team-building exercises, like the hoola-hoop-pass challenge on Beam, as pictured here. Despite the heat, they worked on their routines as they would at any other practice. What was added was getting familiar with each other a little more. Having competed against each other all year, these seven girls knew each other and were already on good sportsmanship terms with them all. Saturday's practice helped them exchange the prior friendly rivalry for team spirit. On next Saturday morning (bright and early at 8 a.m.), these seven girls will be the New Hampshire Team, competing against the best gymnasts that six other states can muster.

Go get 'em Jess, LaNaya and Melinda. It's really cool that OTW's entire Level 8 team is part of the New Hampshire Team at this year's Regionals.

Tag Day 2: Big Success

Seems like many of our Tag Day stories had an armored car photo on them, so, in keeping with the apparent tradition... Actually, the armored car fits pretty well for this Tag Day. The weather was bright and the shoppers were generous. The girls showed up in good numbers such that we were able to cover all three stores pretty well. The result was the club taking in more than originally expected.

Back in the earlier budget process, the club had estimated what this Tag Day might bring in. That amount seemed unlikely when we learned of WalMart's new policy was. The girls had to stand waaaay off to the side -- no where near the doors. Since WalMart had usually been our big earner, the original estimate seemed in doubt. But, not to worry. The shoppers were clearly buoyed by the beautiful day and quite generous. Even posted at the far end of the walls, people would go out of their way to come over and put some dollars in the girls' cans.

At the end of the day (a very long hot day), the club took in more than even originally estimated. All the girls did a great job, from the littlest big-eyed Level 4s, to the high school seniors. Bright smiles and friendly greetings did magic. Now the booster club can send Becca to Nationals and Aylssa to Easterns and still provide the year-end perks for the girls, that we always like to provide.

A special thanks, too, to all you parents who helped out with watching the girls, buying them waters and restocking the lollypop supply. We were all one big team Saturday, and we won! Go Team!