Nighthawk Gymnasts Place Fifth In Class L Meet
Nighthawk Gymnasts Place Fifth In Class L Meet
By Andy Hutchison
SOUTHBURY â This season has been all about moving up for Newtown High Schoolâs gymnasts. The Nighthawks, in their first season as a designated team â following years of individuals competing as part of other area squads â stepped it up at the Class L state championships at Pomperaug High on February 26.
Newtown entered into the Class L meet ranked sixth and, by virtue of its strong performances on the vault, bars, balance beam, and floor, finished up a spot, in fifth place. The Nighthawks scored 125.750 points to edge out sixth-place Staples of Westport (124.175). Glastonbury, with 142.250, was tops among the eight qualifying schools in Class L.
The best event for Newtown was the vault as the Nighthawks placed fourth behind Leah Wallaceâs meet-best 9.350 vault performance. Wallace also scored an 8.600 on bars, 8.250 on the beam, and an 8.500 in her floor routine.
Newtownâs Elisha Wilson scored an 8.900 on the vault, an 8.400 on bars, a 7.700 on the beam, and an 8.750 on floor. Jennifer Indelicato scored a 6.300 on the bars and a 7.200 on the floor. Anna Jannott earned a 7.700 on the vault, a 6.500 on bars, and a 6.650 on the beam. Meagan Foy had a 7.900 on the vault, a 7.450 on the beam, and a 7.600 on the floor.
Newtown Coach Jenna Rettstadt pointed out that the team dynamic made for a great learning experience for the girls who cheered each other on throughout the campaign.
âI think theyâve had a lot of fun and I hope theyâre looking forward to the future as well,â said Rettstadt, whose lineup comprises only underclassmen.
The Nighthawks were a small squad of only six team members in their first campaign. Wallace is a junior; Wilson, Foy, Indelicato, and Kaitlyn Tumney â injured throughout the campaign â are all sophomores; and Jannott is a freshman.
The season continues for Wallace, who will compete in the vault event and Wilson, who will compete in the floor exercise, at the State Open â which brings together the top gymnasts from all three class sizes â March 3 in New Milford.