NHIAA gymnastics: Pinkerton takes third straight title; Salem's Chevaire wins all-around crown

Feb. 11—SALEM — Fourth-year Pinkerton Academy gymnastics coach Steve Needham said his team has been confident and consistent all winter.

Needham saw more of the same from his Astros at the NHIAA Gymnastics State Championships on Saturday at A2 Gym and Cheer.

Powered by its underclassmen alongside other key contributors, Pinkerton scored 146.6 points to secure its third straight state title and an undefeated season.

Salem, led by all-around champion Lisa Chevaire, was the runner-up with 141.4 points. Bishop Guertin (141.125), Goffstown (139.575) and Londonderry (136.45) rounded out the top five.

Astros freshman Anna Martin placed third in the all-around with 37.3 points after finishing among the top six in the vault (third, 9.4), uneven bars (fourth, 9.35), and balance beam (sixth, 9.225) and taking 10th in the floor exercise (9.325).

Rebecca King, a sophomore, took third in both the bars (9.425) and floor (9.45) for Pinkerton.

"They've been put in a big role with a lot of responsibility and they've answered the call every time," Needham said of Martin and King. "We talk a lot about upperclassmen and leadership there and, as underclassmen, they've done a fantastic job and they've been steady all year long."

Pinkerton senior captain Tina Bjeloglic said that she noticed a confidence about King throughout the meet.

"She (King) really knows how to pull herself together when it comes to competing," added fellow Astros senior captain Allie Merrill.

Pinkerton dominated on the bars, taking the second-through fifth-place spots. Chevaire won the event with a 9.675 score.

Pinkerton junior Abigail Lee, who has battled injuries throughout her career, finished second (9.5), King took third, Martin was fourth (9.35) and senior Taylor Calvert (9.35) rounded out the top five.

"A standout event for them all year has been bars," Needham said, "which has been a good event in the past but this year it's been one of the strengths of the team and, I think, that was a big part of their success today."

Chevaire also won the vault, her favorite event, with the highest score of the day in any event (9.75), took third in the beam (9.3) and ninth in the floor (9.325).

Chevaire, who competes for A2 in club gymnastics, said she just tries to enjoy her high school meets.

"Scores aren't the biggest thing," Chevaire said. "Having fun here is most important to me."

Chevaire edged out Merrimack's Mia Leblanc for the all-around crown.

Leblanc, last year's all-around champion, won the beam (9.7), placed second in both the vault (9.5) and floor (9.45) and finished seventh in the bars (9.1).

The junior performed her floor routine to the tune of a remixed version of AC/DC's "TNT." It included an impressive triple flip despite, she said, being a watered down version of her usual routine when competing for her club team, Noha's Gymnastics Academy in Manchester.

Needham called Chevaire and Leblanc talented and consistent gymnasts.

"It was obvious in how they placed but it wasn't just today — they've been doing that all season and they're fantastic athletes," he said.

NHIAA Gymnastics State Championships

At A2 Gym and Cheer, Salem

Team results

1. Pinkerton, 146.6; 2. Salem, 141.4; 3. Bishop Guertin, 141.125; 4. Goffstown, 139.575; 5. Londonderry, 136.45; 6. Timberlane, 132.05; 7. Bedford, 129.3; 8. Keene, 127.25.

Individual results

All-Around

1. Lisa Chevaire, Salem, 38.05; 2. Mia Leblanc, Merrimack, 37.75; 3. Anna Martin, Pinkerton, 37.3; Aleena Cunha, Pelham, 36.25; 6. Ann Quinn, Timberlane, 36; 7. Natalie Height, Bishop Guertin, 35.975; 8. Skye Tibbetts, Winnisquam, 35.85; 9. Kai Swart, Hollis/Brookline, 10. Rebecca King, Pinkerton, 35.625.

Vault

1. Lisa Chevaire, Salem, 9.75; 2. Mia Leblanc, Merrimack, 9.5; 3. Anna Martin, Pinkerton, 9.4; 4. Abigail Lee, Pinkerton, 9.325; 5. Skye Tibbetts, Winnisquam, 9.3; 6. Savannah Eaton, Salem, 9.225; 7. Ann Quinn, Timberlane, 9.2; 8. Aleena Cunha, Pelham, 9.175; 9. Skyla Houle, Campbell, 9.15; 10. Kasey Fitzgerald, Timberlane, 9.125.

Uneven bars

1. Lisa Chevaire, Salem, 9.675; 2. Abigail Lee, Pinkerton, 9.5; 3. Rebecca King, Pinkerton, 9.425; 4. Anna Martin, Pinkerton, 9.35; 5. Taylor Calvert, Pinkerton, 9.35; 6. Ann Quinn, Timberrlane, 9.15; 7. Mia Leblanc, Merrimack, 9.1; 8. Kai Swart, Hollis/Brookline, 9.025; 10. Alison Burnham, Goffstown, 8.95.

Balance beam

1. Mia Leblanc, Merrimack, 9.7; 2. Aleena Cunha, Pelham, 9.325; 3. Lisa Chevaire, Salem, 9.3; 4. Nicole Keyes, Goffstown, 9.3; 5. Faith Carrier, 9.25; 6. Anna Martin, Pinkerton, 9.225; 7. Amanda Turcotte, Bishop Guertin, 9.2; 8. Taylor Calvert, Pinkerton, 9.2; 9. Keira Schaefer, Goffstown, 9.125; 10. Bella Suozzo, Bedford, 9.1.

Floor exercise

1. Kasey Fitzgerald, Timberlane, 9.55; 2. Mia Leblanc, Merrimack, 9.45; 3. Rebecca King, Pinkerton, 9.45; 4. Sofia Accorsi, Keene, 9.45; 5. Aleena Cunha, Pelham, 9.4; 6. Savannah Eaton, Salem, 9.35; 7. Edyth Keegan, Bedford, 9.35; 8. Malaya Brisson, Oyster River, 9.35; 9. Lisa Chevaire, Salem, 9.325; 10. Anna Martin, Pinkerton, 9.325. ahall@unionleader.com