For the second consecutive year, Loudoun County High School flipped, tumbled and balanced its way to the Dulles District gymnastics title. The Raiders scored 135.7 points to win the meet Feb. 2 at Park View High School in Sterling.

Loudoun County received a bonus in 2013, boasting not just one, but the top three all-around gymnasts at the event.

“It was great. Having two girls who have worked so hard with me and were able to have it pay off,” said Hannah Powell, who earned first place accolades after scoring a 35.2 overall. Powell was flanked by teammates Lauren McCullough (second) and Victoria Miner (third) on the podium.

John Champe's Hallie Nichols, Potomac Falls' Alyssa Del Prete and Tuscarora's Shannon Keye rounded out the top six.

County narrowly edged out runner-up Briar Woods, who scored a 134.475. The Falcons were led by Sara Connors, who captured first in both the uneven bars and the floor exercises.

The Raiders took first place honors in the remaining two events, with McCullough placing first in beam with a score of 8.95 and Miner winning vault with a 9.3 Powell took second in bars and beam and third in floor, much to her surprise. The modest junior noted her goal for beam at the AA state qualifier meet was “to not fall off.” When asked about her performance on bars, she answered: “I stuck the landing, which doesn't happen often.”

While coach Jenny Aubel said her girls are sound gymnasts, their biggest asset may be their commitment to each other.

“They support each other very, very well,” Aubel said. “They help each other every day and push each other and motivate them.”

Aubel hopes the girls will continue to push each other all the way to the Virginia AA state qualifier meet Feb. 9 at Woodgrove.


Team
Loudoun County: 135.700
Briar Woods: 134.475
Loudoun Valley: 127.975
Potomac Falls: 125.7
Woodgrove: 122.675
Tuscarora: 122.100
Park View: 96.175
John Champe: 48.075
Heritage: 28.450

All-Around
Hannah Powell (LC): 35.2
Lauren McCullough (LC): 34.525
Victoria Miner (LC): 34.4
Hallie Nichols (JC): 34.075
Alyssa Del Prete (PF): 33.475
Shannon Keye (T): 33.325

Floor
Sara Connors (BW): 9.475
Victoria Miner (LC): 9.4
Hannah Powell (LC): 9.3
Katie Mendenhall (LV): 9.175
Abbey Tsao: (PF): 9.075
Haley Crosser (LV): 8.9

Beam
Lauren McCullough (LC): 8.95
Hannah Powell (LC): 8.7
Alyssa Del Prete (PF): 8.6
Abbey Tsao (PF): 8.6
Josephine Trombadore (LV): 8.525
Hallie Nichols (JC): 8.45

Bars
Sara Connors (BW): 8.825
Hannah Powell (LC): 8.5
Lauren McCullough (LC): 8.45
Olivia Becker (W): 8.4
Mela Coffey (PF): 8.075
Hallie Nichols (JC): 8.025

Vault
Victoria Miner (LC): 9.3
Loren Barber (BW): 8.9
Shannon Keye (T): 8.875
Hallie Nichols (JC): 8.8
Brooke Wivagg (BW): 8.8
Alyssa Del Prete (PF): 8.75
Katherine Ayala (LV): 8.75


-All photos by Greg Nash