The defending Division I champion Londonderry High girls’ gymnastics squad
continued its superb defense of its 2015-16 title with yet another
impressive victory in a five-team meet at the Goffstown YMCA Saturday, Jan.
7.
Coach Heather Tuden’s Lady Lancers tallied a team score of 129.15 to easily
best the runner-up Bedford bunch (123.75), Manchester Central (118.95), the
host Goffstown group (114.3), and the Keene High Lady Blackbirds (110.65).
The lone fly in the ointment for the LHS crew was a sub-par team performance
on the balance beam. But in the end the locals still won by plenty.
“Overall we had a good meet, but definitely struggled on beam with counting
many falls,” said coach Tuden. “During the middle of the season is when the
assistant coaches and I play around with the line-up and see who can step up
when we need them to. Every meet we learn where we need work and hopefully
everything will come together at states.”
Maddie Croteau was unbeatable on the vault (8.850) and balance beam (8.7)
and won the all-around as well (34.250). She also placed second in the floor
exercise and third on the uneven bars.
Mira Kutney was victorious on the bars (8.1) and placed third on beam and
floor.
Second place performances were notched by Suzie Moore on vault and Seana
Kelly on the bars. And coach Heather Tuden had reasons to feel good about
quite a few other Lady Lancer efforts.
“Other strong vault performances came from Janiah Bergendahl, Gianna
DelViscovo, and Tara Nigro, we had other good beam routines from Camille
Lamont and Suzie Moore, and we had other solid floor routines from Taylor
MacKenzie, Tyla Kelley, and Marissa McKay.”
The Lancer crew is now off from meet competition until next Monday, Jan. 16
when it makes the short trip over to Derry for what should be an exciting
meet with the Pinkerton Lady Astros. LHS just nipped PA for the D-I crown
early this year.
Maddie Croteau had an exceptional day in the Goffstown meet recently. Photo
by Chris Paul