Gymnastics: Niwot kicks-off 2017 with win over Fort Collins

Despite a case of opening night jitters and a rash of minor injuries, the Niwot gymnastics team opened their 2017 campaign with a narrow victory over the visiting Fort Collins Lambkins on Aug. 30.

Senior Lindsay Chohon took first for Niwot in the all-around competition with a score of 37.100 points, just a hair’s breadth over Melia Beccard’s 37.075 for Fort Collins. Niwot sophomore Taylor Green (35.450) was third overall on the night, and freshman Grace Stephenson (32.250) was sixth in her high school debut.

Four Cougars gymnasts were unable to compete due to minor injuries, including senior and state contender Lilliana Martin, who may be out up to two weeks with an ankle sprain.

Niwot head coach Marisa Purcell said the team was definitely in early season mode, but she was happy to see some of her younger gymnasts step up to fill in the void left by her injured veterans.

“We had to some things that we weren’t anticipating,” said the second-year head coach. “Overall the team did very well, but you definitely could tell it was the first meet. And then we knew right where we need to go in practice on Thursday.”

Chohon took the top spot in three of the meet’s four individual events, including floor, with 9.425 points, beam (9.300), and uneven bars (9.050). In vault, she placed second (9.325) behind Beccard (9.775).

“I couldn’t have asked for more from Lindsay on opening night,” said Purcell of the three-year varsity gymnast. “She has practiced hard this off-season, and has new skills and a new routine, and she went out and performed.”

Green was second to her senior teammate in floor (9.300) and beam (9.100), while Stephenson was third in floor (9.200). Niwot junior Isabel Mitchel, who is back with the team after taking last year off to recover from shoulder surgery, was a surprise third in the vault competition (8.900), and also competed in floor and beam. Purcell said the junior’s high skill level after her extended absence from competition has been a pleasant surprise.

With the pressure of opening night out of the way, Purcell said that her gymnasts are ready to move ahead both mentally and physically.

“We’ve worked so hard on the skills and learning new routines,” said Purcell. “So now we’re working on the consistency of the routines and the flows just getting them all put together.”

Up next for Niwot is a road dual at Loveland on Sep. 6, followed by the Loveland Invitational on Sep. 8.

Niwot 172.325,

FORT COLLINS 168.625

All-around — 1. Lindsay Chohon, Niwot, 37.1 2. Melia Beccard, Fort Collins, 37.075; 3. Taylor Green, Niwot, 35.45.

Vault — 1. Beccard, Fort Collins, 9.775; 2. Chohon, Niwot, 9.325; 3. Izzie Mitchell, Niwot, 8.9.

Uneven bars — 1. Chohon, Niwot, 9.05; 2. Beccard, Fort Collins, 9.0; 3. Maddie Brodie, Niwot, 8.5.

Floor — 1. Chohon, Niwot, 9.425; 2. Green, Niwot, 9.3; 3. Grace Stephenson, Niwot, 9.2.

Beam — 1. Chohon, Niwot, 9.3; 2. Beccard, Fort Collins, 9.1; 3. Green, Niwot, 9.1.