Ludlowe wins first state title, edges Southington
MILFORD — One of three favorites coming into the Class L girls’ gymnastics meet, all Fairfield Ludlowe gymnasts could do as they sat on the mat waiting for the champion to be announced was go over the score sheet.
At 131.475, the Falcons and coach Kim Longobucco weren’t sure that score would be enough to earn the squad its first state title. It was.
“None of the teams had a perfect meet,” Longobucco said. “We mixed and matched our best gymnasts based on their season. We don’t have one girl compete in all four events. It wasn’t our best meet, but it was a good meet.”
Southington at 131.025 was just shy of winning back-to-back crowns. The Blue Knights have been first or second in Class L 13 of the last 17 seasons, winning nine titles. Trumbull, which took second in 2017 and 2018, finished third at 128.80.
Ludlowe was runner-up in 2019 and 2020. The pandemic canceled state meets a year ago. Those three seasons motivated five Ludlowe seniors, including co-captains Isabella Factora and Ava Golding.
“When we were seated on the mat and totaled up our score, I looked at Ava and we thought it was too low,” Factora said. “Then they called that number, and it was for first place. We all went the extra mile for each other every day.”
Golding said: “When we came to high school, each group of seniors stressed to us the Ludlowe tradition. We were second at states as freshmen. Each year we looked up to those seniors and wanted to carry on that legacy.”
Ludlowe had the edge on the balance beam. Southington leveled the score off in floor exercise. Sophomore Emma Senatore led the champs on vault with an 8.975 as they outpointed Southington 34.375-33.425.
“This group of seniors brought the younger girls along,” Longobucco said. “They taught them what to expect being a Ludlowe gymnast. This (winning the title) is a good feeling. I’m happy for this group. Winning is also for the seniors that came before them.”
Gabrielle Ferreira, Madison Allister and Tia Guay led Southington.
Ariana Sebourne, Julianna Pucciarelli and Leah Cody paced Trumbull. Cody was injured in her first pass on floor exercise. She took a seat and EMT’s came, iced the injury, and took her to the hospital for further examination.