The Salem girls gymnastics team followed Pinkerton throughout the state gymnastics championship meet at Salem High on Saturday, Feb. 21. Yet ultimately, each New Hampshire team found itself in a familiar place – following the Blue Devils in search of the state title.

The hosts won their third straight crown and eighth overall with 136.2 points, and they did it handily, defeating Pinkerton, the No. 2 seed entering the meet, by nearly four points. The Astros’ total of 132.625 was precisely two points better than Central.

Pelham, which placed 12th as a team, received a fine performance from senior Chelsea I’Anson, who was seventh in the all-around among individuals and won the beam (please see the story on Page B-2).

SHS head coach Ginnie La- Vallo said the Blue Devils generally perform well on beam and dominate the floor exercise, but they struggle at times on vault and uneven bars.

Salem, paired with Pinkerton throughout the afternoon session, began its title quest on vault, then moved to bars. If the Blue Devils stumbled on either or both, the Astros and Little Green were waiting to pounce. They’re still waiting.

“The vault has always been our downfall,” said LaVallo. “But they sure came through today.”

Salem won the vault with four top-20 efforts. Junior Shireen Kirata posted a 9.025 to take fourth, and senior captain Leeann Vadala was sixth. Those two competed in the all-around for SHS and joined with senior captain Jessica Maffeo, back from mononucleosis, and freshman Jamie Maffeo to tally 34.725 points in the event.

Vadala, sporting two knee braces to stabilize her from further injury, then posted the day’s highest score, earning a 9.4 on uneven bars. Jamie Maffeo finished sixth, Kirata tied for seventh, and sophomore Geena Terino also scored as Salem won bars as well. The rout was on.

“We’re certainly going to enjoy this one because who knows what happens next year,” said LaVallo, who added that the team’s depth ensured this season’s crowning achievement.

The program loses Jessica Maffeo and Vadala, who finished second to Spaulding’s Kaitlyn O’Brien for the individual all-around title, to graduation. In addition, Windham’s high school welcomes Jamie Maffeo and fellow freshmen Christy Theriault and Giana Contrada; all contributed in Salem’s pursuit of the championship, with Theriault’s ninth-place tie on floor and 12th-place tie on beam adding to the SHS score.

Vadala was sixth on beam, and Contrada and Kirata, a strong eighth in the state among all-around competitors, pumped up the team score. Jessica Maffeo and Taylor Buatti, a junior, competed on beam as well.

Buatti joined Vadala and the young Theriault among top- 10 finishers on floor, and Jamie Maffeo, 11th, also scored. Juniors Kirata, Jess Theriault and Buatti are eligible to return for Salem, as is Terino. LaVallo, though, said her two seniors, Jessica Maffeo and Vadala, are difficult to replace.

“They have been great leaders, even role models,” said the coach. “They do their own work and find time to help others. They’re exactly what you want in a captain.”

Meet notes
Spaulding’s O’Brien also scored a 9.4 on floor to match Vadala’s tally on bars. Salem was within one-half point of sweeping each team event, taking second on beam to Pinkerton before closing the tourney with the usual strong performance on floor.