Since 2004, the Pinkerton Academy gymnastics team has captured the New Hampshire Division I state title 15 times, including three in a row from 2022-24. Last year, the Astros lost by a single point and finished second to Bedford.
Heading into Saturday’s meet at the A-2 Gym and Cheer complex, Pinkerton is once again one of, if not the favorite to win, especially after posting an unofficial team record score of 149.3 during the regular season.
“We have reminded the girls to apply themselves to the simple basics and to fight to minimize small mistakes from turning into big mistakes,” said head coach Stephen Needham.
The Astros have dealt with their share of injuries this season – mainly to Anna Martin and Brooke Bonilla, who last year finished third on the bars at the state meet — and yet have overcome those with incredible depth.
Captains Rebecca King (all-around) and Sophia Cahoon (floor, beam), and other seniors Lorraine Bestwick (vault, bars) and Maddison Larrabee (vault and floor) are four-year varsity members, who have been a part of three titles and a second-place finish at the New England Meet two years ago.
King has high scores of 9.75 on bars, 9.65 on floor, and 37.75 for all-around. At last year’s state meet, she was fourth on the beam (9.325), while Piper Demers is coming off a third-place finish on the floor exercise (9.550).
Sophomore Sienna Hoyt (9.7 on vault) and freshman Madyson Donahue (9.7 on bars) should also be among the top in their respective events on Saturday.
Salem, Windham planning to stick around
The Salem High Blue Devils have drastically improved from the start of the season, including posting a season-high team score of 133.45 in a recent meet. While the roster is comprised of seven freshmen and sophomores, senior Savannah Eaton has been the glue that holds it all together.
“Savannah has been a steady all-around performer, with the ability to score in the high 8s/9s on all four events,” said head coach Justine Negron. “After being forced to end her club gymnastics career earlier than she expected, she is looking to close out a long and successful gymnastics career on a positive note.”
Alexa Petersen and Kaitlyn Tomaselli have been impressive as freshmen. Petersen has season high scores of 8.8 on vault, 9.25 on beam, and 9.35 on floor, and Tomaselli has marks of 9.0 on vault, 8.8 on bars, and 9.35 on beam.
Also in the mix will be freshman Eva Mason, sophomore Alina Pacaya, and senior Mia Contarino.
“We are hoping to build on our late-season momentum, come into the competition with confidence and positivity, ready to represent Salem to the best of our ability,” said Negron. “We are very proud of this young team for persevering through several season-ending injuries and lots of aches and pains to some of our top performers to have such a fantastic regular season. We are so looking forward to competing together as a team and finishing the season strong.”
The third local team to qualify for the meet is Windham. The Jaguars have been led by sophomores Grace Flynn, Mia Minsky, and Kayla Bulkey, as well as freshman Addie Joyce.
In Division II, Timberlane and Pelham didn’t qualify as teams, but each has two gymnasts who have qualified as individuals. Junior Avery Labate and freshman Jillie McCormick will compete for the Owls, and junior Aleena Cunha and freshman Lucia Roman will compete for the Pythons.
Cunha is the top-seed in the all-around with a 36.25.