Most high schools in New Hampshire would be happy to hang one or two championship banners from the gymnasium rafters. Salem, which has gobbled up Granite State glory in volleyball, basketball, field hockey and softball, may find it difficult to place its next banner.

Odds are good it’ll arrive courtesy of the Salem girls gymnastics team, which at 8-0 looks on track to add its third title in as many seasons – and eighth in the last 19. That fact won’t be lost on the competition.

The state championship annually takes place under those banner- laden rafters inside Salem’s Davis Gymnasium. This year is no exception.

“We lost five seniors, but we definitely still have the potential to do it again. We’ve had teams go undefeated and just have a bad day at the state championship in the past, and we’ve had other teams have their best day, so it just all depends on how we hit when it counts most,” said head coach Ginnie LaVallo. “Last year, we were at 135 (at the championship). The first meet this year we hit 133, so I think we’re not that far off. All the girls are working on adding difficulty to their routine, so if we can stay healthy, we definitely have a real chance to get back there.”

Yet health is a big “if.” Senior Leeann Vadala leads the current squad, but the effects of a dislocated knee suffered at last year’s state competition linger. Still, she’s already tallied a personal best on vault, tied her record on bars and scores 33 to 35 points each time out.

Vadala’s classmate and fellow captain, Jess Maffeo, has similar ability but is currently out with an illness and remains a question mark for the big meet on Feb. 21. LaVallo said both girls, when healthy, are among the state’s best in all four events – floor, vault, beam and uneven bars – and each can compete for the all-around crown.

Juniors Shireen Kirata and Taylor Buatti and freshmen Giana Contrada and Jaimie Maffeo also have the talent to garner individual accolades in each of the events.

“We have five or six girls who can each score over 30 points in the all-around, where a lot of teams don’t have any girls that can do that,” said LaVallo, who added sophomore Geena Terino has 30-point ability too. “Floor and beam are our strongest events. I don’t think you’re going to find too many teams that can beat us in those two events, but we do still have room to improve in bars and vault.”

Juniors Jess Theriault and Brittany Fetzner are likely to be factors this season, while freshmen Brittany Burke and Christy Theriault have already proven their ability to handle the pressure of high school gymnastics.

Two other ninth-graders, Natasia Dimario and Anna Kennelly, as well as sophomore Brianna Collins, may also contribute and should garner larger roles next year.

LaVallo said she and assistant coach Marianne Bemister have their hands full grooming the future of the program.

“We don’t cut, and this year we have 27 girls. That’s a big team,” said Lavallo. “A lot of these girls are pretty much newcomers to the sport, so we’re working hard on developing strength and basic skills.

“The varsity girls are really selfmotivated and hard working without having to be pushed. They’re really a very good example showing the younger kids what it takes to get to this level,” she continued. “We’re definitely losing some of our leaders, and especially with Windham High School (opening this fall and taking many wouldbe SHS student-athletes), we’re really looking for some of these girls to be ready to step right in next year.”