Herndon sophomore Alexa Bradley competed in three events, including a top-15 finish on bars, at the VHSL individual state gymnastics meet on March 8 at Patriot High School.
Bradley placed 15th on bars with a score of 8.975. She also competed on vault (tied for 25th, 9.1) and floor (38th, 8.45)
“I think I performed the best that I could have,” Bradley wrote in an email. “My floor routine wasn't the best. It was a really long, tiring day but a little disappointing because I know I could have done better.”
Fairfax senior Rachel Barborek won the all-around state championship with a score of 38.7, and finished first on floor, bars and beam. Marshall’s Morgan Stahl placed third in the all-around (37.625) and Washington-Lee’s Sophie Hatcher finished fifth (37.325).
“States was a really cool and unique experience that not a lot of people can experience,” Bradley wrote. “I am very proud of how far I got and hope I can make it to states my junior and senior year.”
The individual competition was originally scheduled for Feb. 21, but was postponed three times due to inclement weather concerns. The meet was re-scheduled for Feb. 28, March 7 and finally March 8.
“After regionals, I think I practiced about once or twice leading up to states because all of the snow days and the postponements,” Bradley wrote. “I previously had to scratch from the meet the first time it got postponed, so I stopped practicing completely. But when it got postponed again, I got one practice session in.”
Bradley won the Conference 5 all-around championship on Feb. 5.
“This season, I learned to be more confident and to have fun,” Bradley wrote. “I really enjoyed my second year as a high school gymnast and can't wait for next year!”