Chelsea I’Anson and Leeann Vadala won’t need much time to introduce themselves when they leave for Virginia Beach representing New Hampshire in the Senior National Gymnastics Invitational.

Though I’Anson and Vadala competed at different high schools, they have also trained together since sixth grade.

I’Anson, a member of the Pelham High School team, and Vadala, a Salem High gymnast, were among three Granite State athletes chosen to travel to the May 22 competition.

Python head coach Amanda Iwanicki has coached I’Anson for three years at the high school level.

“I couldn’t have thought of someone who was more deserving for it,” said Iwanicki. “It was big because this is a kid that three years ago was fighting to get the program into the school. People were wondering what the big deal was with the team, and now she can show that she took the program to a national level.”

Both gymnasts began the sport at a young age following advice of family members.

At the suggestion of her grandfather, I’Anson tried the sport and loved it immediately.

For Vadala, there was little doubt that she would end up tumbling her way to a successful gymnastics career.

“She had three sisters to pave the way, so she’s been around gymnastics since she was so young,” said Salem head coach Ginnie Lavallo. “When you’re the younger one, you fall into it much better. Her parents were both athletes that instilled that kind of mindset for striving to be her best.”

The bar was set high for Vadala; her oldest sister, now the head coach at Andover High School in Massachusetts, was one of the top gymnasts in the state during her high school career.

“I had to live up to my sisters,” said Vadala. “I always wanted to keep getting better so I could keep up with the rest of my family.”

Entering the national competition, Vadala said she hopes to place in the top 15 on the bars.

The SHS senior said she has often been her biggest critic, but that has helped her find success.

“I am really hard on myself,” she said. “If I wasn’t as successful as I wanted to be, people had to remind me that even if I didn’t do as well as I had wanted to, I was still doing better than most gymnasts.”

I’Anson also prepares to leave for the event with realistic expectations and a relaxed outlook.

“I know I won’t be the best person there,” she said. “I am really just looking forward to having some fun while I am down there.”