The Lake Braddock gymnastics team had all year to think about how it felt to watch Woodson capture the 2010 Patriot District championship on the Bruins’ home floor.
On Feb. 3, Lake Braddock didn’t miss its opportunity to get back on top.
Led by junior Caitlin Liberatore, the Bruins won the district title with 135.4 points, more than 5 points better than second-place Woodson.
"The girls have been working very hard all season, especially with the [championship] weeks coming up," Lake Braddock head coach Ellen Hagan-Bowerman said. "That was the one goal they wanted. They wanted to bring the title back home. They were very determined and they were committed. That was the biggest thing. They were committed to every skill that they put out there and it showed today. I’m very proud of them."
Liberatore finished second in the all-around for the second consecutive year and won three of four individual events.
"Getting our title back as a team," Liberatore said, "it was a really good feeling."
Liberatore edged Lee sophomore Leah Michetti on vault (9.35-9.3), bars (9.1-9.075) and floor (9.4-9.25), but Michetti bested Liberatore by more than a point on beam (9.425-8.4), allowing Michetti to capture the all-around title.
"She’s a competitor," Hagan-Bowerman said of Liberatore. "When it comes time to compete, she gets the job done. I can depend on her. I tell her exactly what we need to do and she usually follows through. She’s very tough on herself. She works hard and she’s determined and it shows."
Lake Braddock had five other individuals place in the top eight in at least one event. Sarah Shapiro finished third on beam (8.6) and fifth on floor (8.725), Katie Kubik was third on bars (8.85) and Courtney Galligan finished sixth on vault (8.85), seventh on floor (8.575) and tied for fourth on beam (8.4). Emily Yeh was fifth on vault (8.9) and Emily Hassett was eighth on vault (8.7).
"It feels good to win it and get it back," Shapiro said. "I was definitely really bad [when Woodson won last year]. It hurt a lot."
The Northern Region championships are Thursday, Feb. 10 at Lake Braddock.