RallyNorth.net

Sat, Feb 10, 2018 01:00 PM @ Pinkerton

Team	Final
at Pinkerton	1
Pelham	0
Salem	0
Windham	0

Loeffler stars, Pinkerton repeats as New Hampshire gymnastics champ

Saturday, February, 10 By David Willis

DURHAM, N.H. - Ashlee Loeffler' nerves were working overtime as Saturday afternoon wore on.

"I was super nervous," said Loeffler. "We were all so stressed out, the whole team, the whole day. So when the results were announced, it was just incredible."

Led by Loeffler's beam title and three other medals, Pinkerton surged to the New Hampshire Gymnastics State Championship Meet title at the University of New Hampshire's Lundholm Gym with 141.925 points. The Astros outdistanced No. 2 Londonderry (136.700).

"Today was awesome," said Astro junior Audrey Hill. "It feels so good! We really did it as a team this season. So many people stepped up. It was just amazing to do this with my teammates."

It was the second straight state title for Pinkerton, its fourth in five seasons and seventh since 2010.

But this was a particularly special one for the Astros, who graduated seven seniors from last year's squad. Hill was the only returnee to place at last year's state title meet.

"Every year is a different journey and a different story with a different team," said Pinkerton coach Chelsie Burland "This year, a lot of people thought it was going to be a rebuilding year for us. But our kids put the time in and stepped up so much. They were amazing. Every year gets sweeter and sweeter building the legacy of Pinkerton."

It was a huge day for Loeffler. But the junior was far from overconfident when she entered her favorite event, the balance beam.

"I was shaking!" she said. "I love the beam, and I was so nervous. But once I got up there, it all felt natural. I knew I had a great routine."

Loeffler won the beam with a 9.425, besting teammate Hill, who was in second (9.350).

"When I landed I was so happy because it went well," said Loeffler. "And going to the podium (to receive the champion's medal) is always fun. Having everyone staring at you. It's pretty nice."

But Loeffler wasn't done there. She added a third in the vault (9.250), a fifth in the bars (8.200) and a third in the all-around (35.950).

"Ashlee's confidence was very high today and it showed," said Burland. "Ashlee stepped up this year, returning to club gymnastics and it has shown. She had a great day."

For the first two years of her high school career, Hill specialized in the floor exercise. But this year, she decided to make a change.

"I had some knee injuries, so for two years I just did the floor," said Hill. "But this year I decided to get back into other events. I had done it before, and I wanted to help the team in other ways. Today was great."

On Saturday, Hill was second in the beam and runner-up in the floor exercise (9.350).

Also stepping up big were Sophia Viger - who was fifth in the all-around, third in the floor and fourth in the vault - Ashley McKinnon (sixth in vault) and Zoe Demers (sixth in floor).

"Audrey was so clutch for us taking on new events and doing so much," said Burland. "And Sophia stepped up as well. She is just so consistent and so steady. She always does a good job."

After the results were announced, Pinkerton had the chance to celebrate on the UNH mats and stands.

"We knew we had the potential to win, but there is always the chance for something bad to happen," said Hill. "But we delivered today. It was a really special day."

NH State Championships

Top team results plus locals (17 teams scored): 1. Pinkerton 141.925, 2. Londonderry 136.700, 3. Bedford 135.125, 4. Bishop Guertin 125.750, 5. Pelham 124.575; Also: 6. Salem 120.475, 8. Windham 118,950

Area placers (Pinkerton was the lone local team to place in an event):

Vault: 3. Ashlee Loeffler (Pink) 9.250, 4. Sophia Viger (Pink) 9.125, 6. Ashley McKinnon (Pink) 9.050; Bars: 5. Loeffler (Pink) 8.200; Beam: 1. Loeffler (Pink) 9.425, 2(t). Audrey Hill (Pink) 9.350, 5. McKinnon (Pink) 9.175; Floor: 2. Audrey Hill (Pink) 9.350, 3(t). Viger (Pink) 9.275, 6. Zoe Demers (Pink) 9.175; All-around: 3. Loeffler (Pink) 35.950, 5. Sophia Viger (Pink) 35.450

 

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David Willis is a sportswriter/videographer. Contact him at DWillis@eagletribune.com or @DWillisET