BY SAPNA PATHAK
As another Salem High athletics program proved it’s the best in the state, a pleasant dilemma continues to grow for Blue Devils athletics director, Chris Bergeron: where can the school fit another championship banner inside Davis Gym?
Bergeron has some time to find a spot before the latest arrival, courtesy of the girls of Salem gymnastics.
The title came Saturday, Feb. 10, when Salem hosted the NHIAA Girls Gymnastics State Championship meet.
The Blue Devils upended last year’s champion, Pinkerton, with a final score of 135.050 points.
Entering the meet seeded second, behind top-ranked Concord, Salem’s senior captains said they were confident knowing they’d beaten Concord twice during the regular season.
“I felt like we had a good chance to win the whole thing, but we also knew we weren’t the best, according to the standings,” said senior Stephanie Belair. “Being in our home gym makes me more comfortable with the equipment, but it doesn’t take away the nerves. We put everything we can into the routines; we do the most for this one.”
Hosting 15 teams and more than 30 individuals from the Granite State, the meet was split into two sessions, morning and afternoon. Higher-seeded teams, including Salem, and individuals competed in the second session.
Salem sophomore Leeann Vadala and junior Jolina Diefendorf competed in the all-around, performing in all four events: vault, balance beam, bars and floor exercise.
“I was half-nervous and half-excited,” said Vadala of her first time as an all-around competitor. “I know if I did well, we’d do well. But if I didn’t, then we could lose, and I’d probably blame myself.”
Vadala placed 11th with 34.475 points, while Diefendorf finished 16th with 33.675 points.
As a team, the Blue Devils scored 33.625 on the vault, 32.325 on the bars, 34.350 on the balance beam and 34.750 on the floor exercise.
Freshman Shireen Kirata scored an 8.350 on the balance beam and 8.550 on the floor exercise. Jessica Mafeo finished with an 8.600 on the vault and 7.450 on the bars, while Taylor Buatti scored an 8.200 and 8.300 on the balance beam and floor exercise, respectively.
Vadala had team-high scores in each event, finishing with an 8.275 on the vault, 8.100 on the bars, 9.100 on the beam and 9.000 on the floor exercise. Diefendorf scored an 8.400 on the vault and 8.675 on the bars, while senior Allie Collins scored an 8.350, 8.100 and 8.700 on the vault, bars and beam, respectively.
“We needed to hit all our routines,” said Collins. “We try to think of it as just another meet, but the nerves really add up, and I get really nervous before each event. I just try not to show it because I don’t want the other girls seeing me that way and have it rub off on them. That would be the worst – if the whole team was a nervous wreck during the state championship.”
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Competing in the morning session was Pelham, which finished ninth overall with 119.900 points.
Senior Brandee Peglow scored an 8.825 on the vault, 8.625 on the bars, 8.275 on the beam and 9.100 on the floor exercise. Her all-around score of 34.825 was good for ninth individually.
Julie Loosigian finished with 8.400 on the vault, 7.550 on the bars, 8.350 on the balance beam and 8.550 on the floor exercise. She was 26th in the all-around with 32.850 points.
Sophomore Shaunna Legatos scored 6.850 on the floor exercise, while teammate Emily Cover scored 5.100 on both the vault and balance beam. Stacey Chattwick scored 6.700 on the floor exercise, Kally Riddigner scored 5.000 on the bars and Chelsea I’Anson scored 8.250, 7.050 and 8.175 on the vault, bars and beam, respectively.