GYMNASTICS: Trojans win districts by narrow margin
CHAMBERSBURG - It was a race to the finish Thursday at the South Central Pennsylvania district gymnastics championships.
Less than a point separated Chambersburg from Waynesboro for the district crown. The Trojans collected 128.65 total points en route to their victory, while Waynesboro finished behind by the narrowest of margins, finishing with 128.1 points.
"Our girls had an amazing night," Chambersburg coach Lexi Bowie said. "They did what they've been coached to do - be strong, be confident, be focused and perform the best you can. They did just that; they were very focused tonight. They wanted to win, and they came together as a team. They worked hard and fought for every skill."
Despite taking second in the team standings, the Maidens didn't go home completely empty-handed. Waynesboro's Alex Stoops had a stellar effort, capturing gold in all four events and the all-around title.
Stoops totaled 35.8 points and won the all-around title by more than two points. Her events totals were 9.15 in vault, 8.3 in bars, 9.55 in beam and 8.8 in floor.
Chambersburg was led by Abby Zeger and Jocelyn Kibbe, who tied for third overall all-around with 32.55 points. Kibbe's best finish came in the bars, where she placed second with 8.15 points. Zeger earned the silver medal on the floor, finishing with 8.55 points.
Jaelynn Walker was also a big factor in the Trojans' victory. She was third in the beam with an average of 8.4 points, and Kayli Straub finished sixth all-around with 31.8 points.
Waynesboro got points from Madeline Johnson, who was fifth all-around. Her top event was the beam where she averaged 8.6 points.
South Central Pa. District Championships
Team Results
1.Chambersburg 128.65, 2.Waynesboro 128.1, 3.Paramount 117.05.
Individual Results
Vault — 1.Alex Stoops (W) 9.15, 4t.Madeline Johnson (W), Megan Kelley (W) 8.45. Beam — 1.Stoops (W) 9.55, 2.Johnson (W) 8.6, 3.Walker (C) 8.4. Bars — 1.Stoops (W) 8.3, 2.Jocelyn Kibbe (C) 8.15, 3.Abby Zeger (C) 8.05, 5.Jaelynn Walker (C) 7.6. Floor — 1.Stoops (W) 8.8, 2.Zeger (C) 8.55, 3.Johnson (W) 8.15, 4.Kibbe (C) 8.1. All-around — 1.Stoops (W) 35.8, 3.(tie) Zeger (C), Kibbe (C) 32.55, 5.Johnson (W) 32.5.