Preparation wasn’t an option for the Salem High School boys gymnastics team.

Heading into its only scheduled home meet of the season on Thursday, Jan. 22, the Blue Devils received word late in the afternoon that team captain Sean Fallon would miss the competition because of illness.

Despite missing one of its top competitors, Salem eked out a 138.1-137.65 win over Andover, Mass., and cruised past Lowell, Mass., which scored 128.6 points.

Head coach Steve Needham said the Blue Devils improvised leading up to the meet, and several SHS athletes competed in events they had no experience in.

“If we didn’t have up to four competitors on the routines, we would have taken zeros. Nobody complained. They just did the best they could,” he said. “It was definitely hectic. There was a lot of running around. I was pretty nervous. I was surprised we could keep it that close and stay ahead.”

The team’s star, junior Nick Miles, stepped up, earning first place in every event that evening, which served as the team’s Senior Night.

Needham said having Miles on the team is especially important because of the amount of experience he brings to a sport that is a mystery to many male athletes.

“It always helps to have a kid on a high school team that’s been involved in gymnastics since they were young. He’s used to that,” said Needham. “A lot of the time he’ll leave (after our) practice and go to the gym for another practice. It’s nice to have a kid like that on the team.”

In the absence of Fallon, Dan Raymond stepped in to take part in the all-around competition, earning three second-place finishes and third place in the allaround competition.

Since Salem is the lone boys team in New Hampshire, the Blue Devils only compete against out-of-state foes, and they usually travel to do so. Still, Needham said he spoke with opposing coaches who expressed interest in setting up another meet in Salem.

“It’s difficult to be the only team in the state, because they don’t have a chance to go to a state meet or any end-of-the-year event like that,” said Needham. “But competition is competition, so we can’t complain about that.”

Needham is in the first year coaching the boys team, and said he plans on returning. “I think there is a future for the team, and I think it’s a lot of fun. I think gymnastics is misunderstood.

It’s a great sport, it gets you in great shape, and I think you have to be a special athlete to compete,” said Needham. “The girls team has a big tradition, and I’m just trying to keep up.”

Earning a win without one of its top competitors was not easy for the Blue Devils, but Needham said it was satisfying.

“Coming off this last meet, it says a lot about the team we have. We can go out and be competitive at any of our meets,” said Needham. “There isn’t any meet you can say we’re counting out. I’ll be excited to see what happens the rest of the year.”