Just three years after launching its program, Buford’s 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 and edged Carrollton for the state title last year, have won at three of their four events this year. They defeated 13 other teams at last week’s Dunwoody Invitational after strong showings from Logan Nugent and Berkley Berrett. On Friday, they host their final tune-up before next month’s state preliminary meet.
Buford coach Amanda Allen, a former level 10 gymnast who has been with the program from the start, 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 (gymnastics) judge 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 seniors. They are joined by Nugent, a junior, and a trio of sophomores.
Nugent, who finished No. 3 all-around at last year’s state meet, took first in the floor exercise and second on the vault at the Dunwoody Invitational. Meanwhile, Berrett, a sophomore, took first on the beam and third on the bars. Goyco and Davis had first-place finishes on the vault and bars, respectively.
“All of our girls contribute,” Allen said.
Allen’s primary concern 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.
Girls lacrosse update: The Cambridge girls strengthened their hold on the No. 1 spot in Class A-AAAAA during a busy week. The Lady Bears didn't face elite out-of-state competition like some other ranked teams in the state, but they took out their closest competition in impressive fashion, dropping previously unbeaten No. 2 Blessed Trinity, 13-3.
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