Nighthawk Gymnasts Third In SWC

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s first-year gymnastics team used its balance, strength, and skill — and vaulted to third-place finish in the South-West Conference championships February 9 in New Milford.

The Nighthawks earned 128.650 points to edge out the host school, with 127.500 points, for third. The meet was won by Nonnewaug with 140.400 points, and Pomperaug of Southbury was second with 136.550.

Newtown’s Leah Wallace and Elisha Wilson both earned All SWC Team honors. Wallace was the team’s top overall finisher in the SWC competition, earning a tie for eighth with an all around score of 34.450. Wilson earned a 9.100 on the vault, an 8.100 on the uneven bars, an 8.750 on the balance beam, and an 8.500 on the floor exercise. Wilson was 12th with a score of 32.700. Wilson had a 7.5 on the vault, 8.200 on bars, 8.100 on beam, and 8.900 on the floor.

Newtown’s Meagan Foy came in 19th with a score of 29.950 by earning a 7.200 on the vault, 6.200 on bars, 8.550 on the beam, and an 8.000 on the floor. Kaitlyn Tumney tied for 20th with an all around tally of 29.900. Tumney earned a 7.800 on the vault, 6.600 on the bars, 7.000 on the beam, and 8.500 on floor. Anna Jannott was 21st with a score of 29.850 as she earned a 7.500 on the vault, 6.500 on bars, 8.050 on beam, and 7.800 on the floor. Jennifer Indelicato placed 29th with a score of 27.100. She scored a 7.000 on vault, 6.400 on the bars, 6.700 on beam, and 7.000 on the floor exercise.

“I was very excited to see — in the first year — the team make it to states and place third in the SWC,” Newtown Coach Jenna Rettstadt said.

The Nighthawks enter into the Class L State Championships, to be held February 25 at Pomperaug in Southbury, ranked sixth, Rettstadt notes. “We’re looking forward to seeing what they can do there.”