West Potomac senior Monica Thompson competed in the all-around during the 6A North region gymnastics meet on Feb. 18 at Lake Braddock. Photo by Craig Sterbutzel.
With a fourth-place finish on vault, West Potomac senior Monica Thompson assured Tuesday’s 6A North region meet wasn’t her final event as a high school gymnast.
Thompson finished in a fourth-place tie on vault with a score of 9.55, earning her a berth in the state meet. The top five in each event qualified for the state meet, as well as the top three all-around competitors and the top two teams.
“It’s really exciting because it’s senior year, so I really wanted to make it on at least vault,” Thompson said. “I’m very happy.”
Thompson competed with the individual group, which started on vault. Only three gymnasts received a better score: T.C. Williams’ Holland Cathey (9.775), South County’s Collea Burgess (9.65) and Westfield’s Katie Freix (9.625). Washington-Lee’s Annie Hatcher also earned a 9.55.
“That was the one event I thought she had a good shot of going [to states] on,” West Potomac coach Pete Novgrod said. “She had to hit it and she did.”
Thompson competed in the all-around, finishing eighth with a score of 35.401. She placed eighth on bars (8.967), finished 11th on floor (8.717) and 20th on beam (8.167).
“I thought I did pretty well,” Thompson said. “It was one of my better meets. The only thing I was upset about was I forgot to do a skill on beam, which brought my score down. Besides that, I thought it was one of my best meets. I was excited.”
Burgess won the all-around with a score of 38.234. Fairfax’s Rachel Barborek (37.967) placed second and Westfield’s Katie Freix (37.425) finished third.
Freix finished first on beam (9.433), Burgess placed first on floor (9.517), Hayfield’s Molly Overstreet won on bars (9.75).
“It’s really exciting because it’s senior year, so I really wanted to make it on at least vault. I’m very happy.”
--- West Potomac senior Monica Thompson
Washington-Lee won its third consecutive team region title with a score of 140.449. McLean finished runner-up for the third straight year with a score of 140.077. T.C. Williams (138.459) finished third, followed by Robinson (128.766), Oakton (127.8) and Woodson (123.19).
Thompson is a club gymnast with Arlington Aerials.
The state meet is scheduled for Feb. 21-22 at Salem High School in Virginia Beach.