BOONTON, NEW JERSEY — Derry teen and gymnast Leah Higgins placed first this past weekend in a gymnastics competition as one of many athletes from North Stars Gymnastics Academy.
Higgins, 14, was one of several “Level 10” gymnasts from the academy to place first in all-around and individual events at the New Jersey State Championship last weekend.
The event was held at Precision Gymnastics in Bayville, New Jersey. Though Higgins is from Derry, N.H., she is part of the academy’s homeschooling program due to her rigorous gymnastics training and competition schedule.
Led by head coach Ashley Umberger, the “level 10s” took second place in the state team award. Higgins placed first on vault with a score of 9.85 out of 10.
Eleven of the athletes, including Higgins, will advance to regionals beginning April 10 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where they will compete against qualifying state championships gymnasts from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
“Our athletes are tough and can compete against the best in the state, region and nation and hold their own,” said Umberger, who is a former two-time U.S. National Women’s Gymnastics Team Member. “Their work ethic, intense focus and talent drives them to reach their potential and most times, exceed it with admirable control and grace.”
Gymnasts can score up to a perfect 10 for each of the four events: uneven bars, balance bean, floor and vault, achieving a maximum all-around score of 40. Each gymnast had to earn a 34.0 all-around score at the state championship, a 35.0 pre-qualifying score from the existing season and a 9.0 or higher at the state meet in an individual event to receive a bid to regionals.