Buford gymnastics hoping to extend quick success ... LAX update

Just three years after launching its high school program, the Buford gymnastics team already has its sights set on back-to-back state championships.

The Wolves, who finished fourth in the state in their inaugural season in 2013 and edged Carrollton for the state title last year, have won at three of their four events this year. Most recently, they bested 13 other teams at last week’s Dunwoody Invitational thanks to strong showings from Logan Nugent and Berkley Berrett. On Friday, they’ll host their final tune-up before next month’s state preliminary meet.

Buford coach Amanda Allen, who has been with the program for all three years and is a former Level 10 gymnast, said she was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.

“I was already at Buford, and I had previously been a judge (at gymnastics events) for about five years, just kind of keeping a foot in that door,” Allen said. “We actually started the program at Buford because of a group of girls who were coming up to high school. They were already competing with clubs and with gymnastics there’s just not time to do any other sports, but the parents wanted the opportunity for them to compete in high school. It’s fun to be on a high school team, so the parents really pushed for that opportunity and have been very supportive.”

That core group that helped launch the program – Caroline Davis, Claudia Goyco and Molly Moran –   are now seniors. They’re joined by Nugent, a junior, and a trio of sophomores to form a well-rounded bunch.

Nugent, who finished at No. 3 All-Around at last year’s state meet, took first in the floor exercise and second on the vault at the recent Dunwoody Invitational. Meanwhile, Berrett, a sophomore, took first on the beam and third on the bars, and Goyco and Davis had first-place finishes on the vault and bars, respectively.

“All of our girls bring something that they contribute,” Allen said.

Allen’s primary concern right now might be making sure they have the chance to contribute. The state preliminary meet conflicts with the dates of the regional Junior Olympic meet, which will be held in Tampa, Fla., and could pose a problem for many teams. Girls must compete in the state preliminary to be qualified to compete at the state championships, but Allen said the Junior Olympics event provides greater exposure to college programs, and is a priority for most gymnasts.

“We’re hoping to have some who will be able to do both,” Allen said. “(The state preliminary) is April 18, a Saturday, and we’re expecting to have some girls at the J.O. event on Friday or Sunday, so hopefully we’ll be able to work it out where they can do both events.”

LAX update

Lots of big games this weekend, but the Cambridge girls are already done with their work for the week. The Lady Bears strengthened their hold on the No. 1 spot in Class A-AAAAA taking out their closest competition with an impressive win over previously unbeaten No. 2 Blessed Trinity, 13-3.

LAX rankings, results

How the top 10 teams have fared this week so far...

Boys

Class AAAAAA

1. John’s Creek (6-2)

• Lost to No. 5 Pope, 12-10, March 18
• Next: at Alpharetta (1-5), March 24

2.Lambert (7-0)

• Def. West Forsyth, 19-6, March 19

3. Centennial (6-1)

• Next: vs. Lovett (3-2), March 21

4. Roswell (6-1)

• Def. Woodstock, 16-9, on March 17
• Def. Cherokee, 20-1, March 19

5. Pope (7-1)

• Def. No. 1 John's Creek, 12-10, on March 18
• Next: vs. Walton (3-5), March 21

6. Lassiter (7-1)

• Def. Milton, 13-7, March 19
• Next: vs. No.7 Northview, March 21

7. Northview (6-1)

• Def. Peachtree Ridge, 16-13, on March 18
• Next: No. 6 Lassiter, March 21

8. Mill Creek (8-1)

• Def. Collins Hill, 19-5, March 18
• Def. Chattahoochee, 18-11, March 20
• Next: at South Forsyth, March 24

9. Etowah (5-3)

• Def. Kennesaw Mountain, 6-3, on March 17
• Next: at North Cobb, March 23

10. North Gwinnett

• Def. Alpharetta, 3-2, on March 18
• Next: at No. 9 Etowah, March 27

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A-AAAAA

1. Lovett (4-2)

• Lost to Boys' Latin (Md.), 17-14, March 17
• Def. Pace Academy, 18-5, March 19
• Next: vs. Centennial, March 21

2. Westminster (8-1)

• Next: vs. Harrison (6-2), March 21

3. Allatoona (7-0)

• Def. Carrollton, 24-0, March 19
• Next: vs. Creekview, March 23

4. McIntosh (8-0)

• Def. Northgate, 23-1, on March 16
• Def. Riverwood, 13-7, on March 18
• Next: at No. 10 Marist (2-2), March 25

5. Cambridge (6-1)

• Def. Riverside Military, 19-0, on March 17
• Next: vs. Holy Innocents' (2-1), March 21

6. Greater Atlanta Christian (7-1)

• Def. Fellowship Christian, 15-3, on March 18
• Def. No. 7 Starr's Mill, 13-2, March 20
• Next: vs. Blessed Trinity, March 24

7. Starr’s Mill (7-2)

• Def. No. 10 Marist, 6-5 (OT), on March 18
• Lost to No. 6 GAC, 13-2, March 20
• Next: vs. Baylor School (Tenn.), March 21

8. St. Pius (5-2)

• Next: vs. Southwest DeKalb (0-6), March 21

9. Benedictine (3-2)

• Next: vs. Greenbrier (3-4), vs. Druid Hills (0-7), March 21

10. Marist (2-2)

• Lost to No. 7 Starr's Mill, 6-5 (OT), on March 18
• Next: at Blessed Trinity (3-3), March 21

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Girls

AAAAAA

1. Milton (4-1)

• Def. Cherokee, 20-1, March 18
• Lost to McDonogh (Md.), 18-5, March 20
• Next vs. Vero Beach (Fla.), March 21