News Post

Members of the state-champion St. Joseph’s Academy gymnastics team celebrated the 2019 season with a dinner and awards party on May 14 at the home of Tammy and Mike Brice, parents of sophomore Mary Wells Brice. 

Varsity letters were awarded, and all team members received a state championship medal. 

Coach Natalie Pitts said this year’s team was special. “In this sport of gymnastics, the mental game is only half the battle,” she said. “SJA gymnasts challenged the physical part of the battle. They’ve had moments of discouragement and moments of outstanding accomplishments with a whole lot of motivation. With countless hours and days of repetition after repetition, striving to improve, they got better and better. This is what made SJA gymnastics dominant, and I couldn’t be more proud to say I’m their coach.” 

Leigh Ann Lutgring was named Most Valuable Gymnast, and Zoe Crawford received the Coaches’ Award. 

Honored for their podium finishes at the state meet were the following gymnasts.

Camille Cronin: 4th place Level 3 bars; 3rd place Level 3 beam; 2nd place Level 3 floor; 2nd place Level 3 All-Around

Leigh Ann Lutgring: 1st place Level 3 vault; 1st place Level 3 bars; 1st place Level 3 beam; 1st place Level 3 floor; 1st place Level 3 All-Around

Zoe Crawford: 2nd place Level 4 vault; 5th place Level 4 floor

Eliza Hufft: 4th place Level 4 vault; 2nd place Level 4 beam; 1st place Level 4 floor; 2nd place Level 4 All-Around

Isabelle Schmitt: 1st place Level 4 beam

Anna Virginia Broyles: 4th place Level 8 bars

Ava Riche: 3rd place Level 8 vault; 2nd place Level 8 floor; 2nd place Level 8 All-Around

The Level 3 team finished first in the state meet. Team members were Mary Wells Brice, Camille Cronin, Megan LeBlanc, Lexie Lemoine, Leigh Ann Lutgring, MaKenzie Maurer, Kennedy Passantino, Claire Pizzalato and Olivia Turner.

The Level 4 team also finished first. Team members were Zoe Crawford, Eliza Hufft, Jennifer McCoy and Isabelle Schmitt.

The Level 8 team finished second in the state championship. Team members were Anna Virginia Broyles, Charly Hull and Ava Riche.

Faculty moderator Brenda LeBlanc said this year’s team far exceeded all early season expectations. “Their hard work, dedication and especially their mental toughness pushed them past Caddo Magnet at the state meet,” she said. “They were a joy to work with.”

 

Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director

Photos courtesy of Heather LeBlanc