It’s a pretty good bet that Londonderry youngster Elise Stahly is going to do some big things in gymnastics in the coming years. As a matter of fact, the 10-year-old has already gotten started in earnest.
Stahly, a fifth grader who attends the Birches Academy charter school in Salem, showed her growth in her sport and closed out her 2013-14 season recently by winning the Massachusetts vaulting championship at the Bay State Level 6 competition in Woburn.
The local gymnastics standout snagged that first place on vault on her level, an excellent second place in the all-around (score of 37.550) in her division, an exceptional third overall in the all-around category out of 148 competitors across all age divisions, and a fine third place on the uneven bars in her division as well.
Her stellar individual work also helped Stahly’s Brestyan’s Gymnastics team to a first place finish at that major competition.
While all of her efforts on the day were plenty impressive, the state title in vaulting was particularly pleasing for the Londonderry girl.
“Vault used to be my worst event, and I’m very happy to win first place,” said Stahly. “I worked very hard and competed at meets across the country, and I feel really good about the season and states especially.”
Other notable season accomplishments during the 2013-14 season included three all-around victories, a first place all-around effort at an event in Las Vegas, and a win on vault at a competition in Virginia Beach, Va. Stahly has been ranked among the nation’s top 100 competitors for vault and bars on several occasions. She trains at Brestyan’s Gymnastics in Burlington, Mass., which is one of two national team training centers for USA Women’s Gymnastics under the leadership of Mihai Brestyan, USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year in 2013 and the two-time Olympic coach of Alicia Sacramone and Aly Raisman.
“It’s very motivating to be able to work out with Aly Raisman. She is my role model,” said Stahly.