New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Woodstock wins again; Hand third
MILFORD—Winner and still champion.
The reign of the Woodstock Academy Girls Gymnastics program became nine straight titles Saturday night as the Centaurs captured the Class S Championship at Jonathan Law HS gym.
Woodstock Academy has now won seven consecutive Class S team titles along with two straight Class M crowns before that.
“Everybody pulled their weight tonight,” said Woodstock Academy coach Kasey Tocchio. “The string of titles means everything to us. We’re so proud to own it. Each team each year wants to keep it going.”
The Centaurs made a big statement Saturday night as they racked up 143.50 points. Stonington (130.675) was a distant runnerup.
Daniel Hand (129.825) edged Oxford (129.50) for third place.
“We’ve had a tough season with a lot of injuries and obstacles,” said Daniel Hand coach Kelly Smith. “But the girls responded tonight with one of our best performances of the year. To take third place tonight is more than we all could have wished for.”
“I was very proud of our effort,” said Oxford coach Chelsie Eckman. “We have four individual gymnasts moving on to the State Open (next Saturday).”
Host Jonathan Law (126.50) edged Mercy (126.025) for fifth place. Ellington (122.425) was 7th with Old Lyme (121.70) in eighth.
One of the saddest sights Saturday night was Mercy junior Mia Lawrence on crutches with a cast on her left foot. Her season ended with the injury at the SCC meet where Mercy still snapped Hand’s long dominanation at that meet.
There were no individual medals given at the Class S meet. But Woodstock Academy put on a show nevertheless.
Lydia Taft was top score
“The girls responded tonight with one of our best performances of the year. To take third place tonight is more than we all could have wished for.”
— Hand coach Kelly Smith
on vaulting (9.45) as well as beam (9.2) and floor exercise (9.3).
Woodstock Academy’s Allison Crescimmano ruled the uneven bars (9.6). WA’s Jenna Davidson was runnerup on beam (8.825) and vault (9.4).
The top four team scores in the Class M, Class L and Class S meets will vie for the State Open team crown next Saturday.
Woodstock Academy, Class L champ Greenwich, Class L runnerup Ludlowe and Class L third place Warde all qualified.
Class M champ Wilton (131) fell just short.
The State Open should be a dandy as Greenwich ended Woodstock Academy’s long reign there last year.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge of facing Greenwich, Ludlowe and Warde,” Woodstock Academy’s Lydia Taft said. “There’s pressure for us to go out and do our best. We’d like to get the State Open title back.”