SHREWSBURY - Heading into the final two rotations at the state gymnastics meet, Massachusetts's two top gymnasts, Chelmsford senior Alison Carr and Barnstable sophomore Leah Pacheco, were forced to be clutch performers. And while Carr was best in the all-around, it was Pacheco's Red Raiders who came through with their sixth state championship in the last eight years, winning with a score of 146.1 over Chelmsford's 145.45.
"We weren't quite sure this time," said Barnstable coach Duncan Chase. "It was one of the best state meets in 10 years."
Chelmsford held a slim .075 lead going into the final rotation, which put the Lions on the vault while Barnstable moved to the floor. With a strong score of 36.5, including a 9.65 from Carr, the Red Raiders needed more than a 36.570 on floor to retake the lead and claim the title.
"We knew we had to stick all four events to win," Chase said.
With all other routines ended, the pressure was on Pacheco, the final floor performer of the night.
"I like the pressure, I do better," Pacheco said. "Being the last one on the floor, everyone is watching you. It's exciting."
Fueled by the excitement, Pacheco scored a 9.55, giving her team a 37.225 for the event, the top score of the night.
"It's a huge advantage to have Olympic rotation," Chase said. "Finishing on floor, you can stretch yourself. We knew that Chelmsford was very strong on three events, but you have to have four good scores."
The Red Raiders' strong finish highlighted an extremely tight meet. The Lions showed from the beginning they weren't going to let defending champion Barnstable cruise to victory. With a 37.075 on the uneven bars, the Lions set the pace early. Barnstable retook the lead after the second rotation, but early in their third event, the beam, the Red Raiders faltered, with two girls falling during their routines. It was once again up to Pacheco.
"We were pretty nervous on beam, we were having an off day," Pacheco said. "It was basically all on me."
Pacheco came through, scoring 9.375.
"Leah was outstanding all year long," Chase said. "She puts 100 percent out there. After Leah's performance, I felt more comfortable [going into the final event]. We knew on floor you have to express yourself and you have to have form. Those things were there."
Carr, who is headed to the University of New Hampshire in the fall, won three of the four events with an all-around score of 38.225. Pacheco was second with a 37.425.
