MILFORD — It was an accomplishment worth savoring.
The Southington girls gymnastics team captured its first Class L team championship in five years Saturday, topping an eight-school field at Jonathan Law gym.
Southington, which last carried the L championship plaque home in 2015, snapped the four-year stranglehold that Greenwich had on the event. For Southington, it was its ninth Class L team crown since 2005.
“The girls put in the work and they all reached their potential,” said Southington coach Cassidy Chamberland. “Our program has been down for a few years but our talent this year is great and they performed their best. It’s exciting to be able to add to our program’s legacy.”
The Lady Knights scored 138.875 points to nip FCIAC champion Ludlowe (136.575) for the team crown. Newtown (130.7) was third followed by Trumbull (128.7), Glastonbury (126.7), Staples (126.675), Westhill (126.1) and Greenwich (120.475).
Southington had three gymnasts in the top four in the all-around Saturday.
Kelly Perrotti tied for first on bars (9.0) and vault (9.1) while capturing the all-around with 35.65 points. Katherine Drechsler won beam (9.075) and tied for first in vault (9.1) to be runnerup (35.375) in the all-around.
Natalie Reeves was fourth in the all-around at 34.50 for the Lady Knights.
“Our teamwork and support for each other was the key for us,” Drechsler said.
Ludlowe pushed Southington to the limit Saturday as the Falcons entered as FCIAC champions.
Tara Chomienne won the floor exercise (9.0) and tied for first on bars (9.0). Fellow junior Ava Mancini was runnerup on beam (9.05) and third on all-around (35.10). Ava Golding took sixth on all-around (33.675) for Ludlowe.
“We all worked so hard all week. This was one of our best team scores of the season,” Chomienne said.
“I’m thrilled with our finish. We are peaking at the right time,” said Ludlowe coach Kim Longobucco. “I’m so happy for Tara. The way she has fought back from injury (elbow) to show people the gymnast she can be. I hope we can continue our work at the State Open.”
Newtown, which was third at the SWC championship by .1 of a point, was impressive in taking third place at 130.700, two points ahead of Trumbull.
Seniors Hannah Jojo (5th in the all-around) and Marisa Choi (7th in all-around) paced the effort for the Nighthawks.
“We were seeded third and finishing third is wonderful. Southington and Ludlowe are both great teams that displayed their best today,” said Newtown coach Kim Kane. “I’m so proud of our group. They were grace under fire today. Our seniors and our young kids stood up to the challenge.”
rdepreta@stamfordadvocate.com
2020 CLASS L CHAMPIONSHIP
Team Scores: 1, Southington 138.875 points; 2, Ludlowe 136.575; 3, Newtown 130.7; 4, Trumbull 128.7; 5, Glastonbury 126.7; 6, Staples 126.675; 7, Westhill 126.1; 8, Greenwich 120.475.
Vault: 1, (tie) Kelly Perrotti, Katherine Drechsler (Southington) 9.1; 3, Rachel Kapteina (Trumbull) 8.775; 4, Ava Mancini (Ludlowe) 8.7; 5, Hannah Chuckas (Westhill) 8.625; 6, Natalie Reeves (Southington) 8.55.
Uneven Bars: 1, (tie) Tara Chomienne (Ludlowe), Kelly Perrotti (Southington) 9.0; 3, Hannah Jojo (Newtown) 8.70; 4, Ava Mancini (Ludlowe) 8.65; 5, (tie) Katherine Drechsler, Natalie Reeves (Southington) 8.55.
Beam: 1, Katherine Drechsler (Southington) 9.075; 2, Ava Mancini (Ludlowe) 9.05; 3, (tie) Ava Golding, Tara Chomienne (Ludlowe) 8.950; 5, Natalie Reeves (Southington) 8.80; 6, Kelly Perrotti (Southington) 8.675.
Floor Exercise: 1, Tara Chomienne (Ludlowe) 9.0; 2, Kelly Perrotti (Southington) 8.80; 3, Hannah Chuckas (Westhill) 8.775; 4, Emily Graef (Glastonbury) 8.750; 5, Sarah Allen (Staples) 8.725; 6, Ava Mancini (Ludlowe) 8.70.
All-Around: 1, Kelly Perrotti (Southington) 35.65 points; 2, Katherine Drechsler (Southington) 35.375; 3, Ava Mancini (Ludlowe) 35.10; 4, Natalie Reeves (Southington) 34.50; 5, Hannah Jojo (Newtown) 34.025; 6, Ava Golding (Ludlowe) 33.675.
