RallyNorth.net

SALEM, N.H. — Flanked on all sides by its schools many championship banners, the Salem High School gymnastics team made sure it would raise another to the ceiling as it won its third consecutive and 15th overall State championship in its home gym.

Salem, paced by Leeann Vadala and Shareen Kirata, dominated a six-team meet at home to finish the regular season undefeated (21-0) and in prime position for the state meet Feb. 21 at Salem. Vadala broke the school record in the bars (9.4) and had a personal-best score in the floor (9.3) and a best-ever score of 35.9 while placing first in the all-around. Kirata had a PR score of 9.0 in the vault and a personal-best score of 34.7 in all-around.

Salem topped Pelham 130.05-106.20, but the story of the meet was the matchup between hot shots Leeann Vadala and Chelsea I'Anson. I'Anson won the vault (8.55) and beam (8.7) for the Pythons, but it wasn't enough as Vadala took first in the bars (9.0), floor (9.15) and all-around (35.05) to help lead the Blue Devils to victory.

Salem's girls gymnastics team defeated Londonderry to remain undefeated (5-0), thanks to the one-two punch of Leeann Vadala and Shireen Kirata. They finished one-two in the all-around and finished first and second respectively in the vault and floor exercise. In the beam, Kirata was first and Vadala was second.

Salem girls gymnastics defeated both Pelham (111.65) and Concord (94.05) by racking up 133.25 total points yesterday to improve to 2-0. Leading the way for Salem was senior co-captain Jess Maffeo, who placed first in vault (8.55) and floor (9), second in bars (8.3), and fourth on the beam (8). Pelham's Chelsea Ianson (first on the beam with a score of 9.05) had the second best all-around score with 33.5 points. Maffeo's teammate Shireen Kirata, a junior, finished third overall with 32.95 points.