The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Madison’s Blackford wins state title in vault
Blackford is Madison’s first state champion in gymnastics since 1999.
Madison junior Gabby Blackford said she thought she had a chance to win the state championship in the vault on March 4 based on her warm-up.
Her feeling was right on, as she scored a 9.725 to land on top of the podium in Hilliard.
Blackford is Madison’s first state champion in gymnastics since Rickee Wirtzberger won the same event in 1999 with a 9.425.
“I didn’t think I could win state,” Blackford said. “But as the day went on, I thought I had a chance because I felt really good in warm-ups.”
The vault was Blackford’s third event of the day, after the beam and floor. Her score was .025 better than runner-up Kendra Linway of Cuyahoga Heights.
“The key for me today is that I stuck my landings, for sure,” Blackford said, adding “I felt very fast and aggressive.”
Blackford has been doing gymnastics since she was a 3-year-old, and
started vaulting in sixth grade.
“I’ve been working really hard over the years,” she said. “The feeling was amazing. It’s really the best feeling. I’m so happy. I’ve had so much support from
my friends and family over years.”
Blackford said she was going to celebrate by having a big dinner.
• Chardon’s Kayla Benjamin took fifth in the allaround with a score of 36.75,
and she was tied for sixth on bars with 9.15. Mentor’s Alyssa Taglieri was sixth in the floor exercise with 9.275. Blackford was 14th in allaround with 35.75.
Sports Editor Mark Podolski contributed