RallyNorth.net

   SALEM — Behind the all-around brilliance of Brittany Capozzi, the toughness embodied by flu-ridden Julianna Corsetto and some impressive depth, Pinkerton cruised to its fifth state title in the last six years. The Astros easily beat runner-up Bishop Guertin, 137.275-133.1, to repeat as state champs. Capozzi won the bars (9.5) and floor (9.2) and for the second straight year came heartbreakingly close in the all-around. For the second year in a row, she lost by .05 points. Carolyn Nichols of Bishop Guertin won all-around with a 36.6. “Everyone always says you have nothing to be worried about, we are all fighting for second,” said Astros coach Chelsie Burland. “But in 2013 we learned don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.” But there were no upsets Saturday at Salem High as Capozzi and Co. were equal to the challenge. “Bars is one of the hardest events to be good at,” said Burland, who has never lost a regular-season meet in her five years as the Astros’ head coach. “Brittany killed it.” Corsetto played a key role, too. “Corsetto was very sick,” noted Burland. “I didn’t think she’d be able to compete. She’s a team player. She’s tough like her brothers (Pinkerton hockey stars).” This is gymnastics, so there are always obstacles. “We had some uncharacteristic mistakes but with our depth we were able to file in holes. I’m really proud of what we did. We dug deep,” said the coach. There were plenty of other key contributors for a Pinkerton squad which had the high team score in each event. Kylie Muzerall (3rd floor) and Jackie Bogaczyk and Jackie Bogaczyk (tied 6th floor) placed in individual events while Elizabeth Bilodeau had a big personal best on bars and Julianna Iarrobino nailed her beam and floor routines. They may be half their size, but the Astros have a Patriot-esque dynasty going. “Someone called me the Belichick of gymnastics,” Burland said with a laugh. “Someone else said, ‘But without the cheating!’ It made my day.” The Astros hope they have one more big day left in them. They host New Englands on Saturday, March 14. The top three teams and six individuals for each state qualify. “We want to peak at New Englands,” said Burland.

Jezak, Champagne shine Windham freshman Sam Jezak placed third in the all-around and placed in three individual events while Salem’s Olivia Champagne placed in three events and grabbed a fourth in the all-around.