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Stamford's Arena Gymnastics dominated the USA Gymnastics Level 7 State Championships in Bristol, tumbling, balancing and vaulting its way to 14 state titles out of the possible 20 events. Arena gymnasts swamped the winners' podium by coming away with three all-around state champions and sweeping first place finishes in all four balance beam age groups. In total, Arena took a staggering 14 gold, five silver and eight bronze medals.
Arena's Level 7 squad ran away with the team title last week, posting a total score of 188.2. Second place went to Deary's Gymnastics of Danielson with 184.125 and New England Gymnastics Express of Glastonbury was third, scoring 183.85.
In the 11-year-old division Ashlyn Wahl of Greenwich sailed to a first place finish at 38.1 by sweeping gold medals on the floor exercise (9.6), balance beam (9.425), vault (9.525) and uneven bars (9.5). Kate Kushner of New Canaan won bronze on beam, scoring 9.225.
In the 12-year-old Division Erika Marr of Ridgefield glided to the all-around gold medal at 37.625, featuring first place finishes on bars (9.1) and beam (9.7). Bianca Dinisoe of Norwalk finished fourth on beam with 9.35.
Nikki Psichopaidas of Stamford took silver in the all-around at 37.425 in the 13-year-old group, by winning gold medals on bars (9.45) and beam (9.3), and silver on floor (9.45). Ilana Olin of Wilton finished third in the all-around at 36.975 by tying for second on floor (9.45) and winning bronze medals on bars (9.0) and vault (9.45). Madeline Henrie of Stamford walked off with the bronze medal on beam (9.225).
Kristen Onorato of Westport won the 14-year-old all-around title, also winning gold on vault (9.7) and beam 9.6. Teammate Rayna Weiser, also from Westport, finished a close second in the all-around with a score of 36.925, winning floor (9.30) and finishing third on beam (9.2) and bars (9.1).
In the Level 8 competition, Emma Kirchner, 12 of Ridgefield, and Pamela Onorato, 14 of Westport, qualified to represent Connecticut at the USA Gymnastics Regional Championships in Andover, Mass., on April 30. Kirchner earned a spot on the 8- to 12-year-old state team while Onorato is the alternate for the 13- to 14-year-old team. Onorato, if not called up to the state team, will compete as an individual. The Connecticut team competes against state teams from New England and New York.
Photo: From left: Bianca Dinisoe of Norwalk, Rayna Weiser of Westport, Nikki Psichopaidas of Stamford, Erika Marr of Ridgefield, Ashlyn Wahl of Greenwich, Kristen Onorato of Westport, Kate Kushner of New Canaan, Maddie Henrie of Stamford and Ilana Olin of Wilton.
Jennifer Rich also contributed to this story.
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