NORTHBORO — Every other competitor at the MIAA girls’ gymnastics state championship had finished their routines when Tali Twomey stepped onto the floor Saturday night at Algonquin.
With all eyes on her, the Barnstable senior crushed the final routine of the night and earned a 9.500 from the judges — the best score of the night on floor — to help Barnstable capture its fourth straight state title.
“I love going last, the adrenaline just gets to you and it’s just amazing to be able to show it off,’’ Twomey said. “I just go 100 percent and make sure I hit.’’
Twomey finished second all-around with a combined score of 37.425. She earned a 9.525 on vault, 9.300 on uneven bars, and a 9.100 on beam.
“I had a pretty good routine, it’s my last state championship, so it was awesome to compete all-around,’’ Twomey said.
“It means so much just to be able to contribute to the team and put in those scores.’’
Barnstable coach Duncan Chase always puts Twomey last in the floor lineup. Chase has coached Twomey for five years and knows she can handle the pressure of completing the final routine of the night.
“She excels at floor,’’ Chase said. “She loves to show it off and express herself, kind of looking like a college gymnast, having fun out there. She’s always been my anchor and I know what to expect from her and it’s always a great routine.’’
Barnstable finished with a total of 147.125 points, ahead of Medway/Holliston/Millis (144.225) and Shrewsbury (142.400).
Vault was the best event of the night for Barnstable, which was seeded first and competed in Olympic order. The Red Raiders kicked off the meet with a 37.225 on vault, scored a 36.950 on uneven bars, a 35.975 on beam, and finished with a 36.975 on floor.
“We always strive all year long to be the No. 1 seed so we get the Olympic order and end up on floor,’’ said Chase, who has now won 12 state championships in his 17 years coaching the Red Raiders. “We knew we had to hit at least a 36 on floor. The team that was right behind us, we know their bars are a little bit weak. Everybody in gymnastics knows everybody, so we know what they’re capable of doing.’’
Medway/Holliston/Millis junior Danielle Brucato took the top spot in the individual all-around. Brucato, who attends Holliston, posted the best scores of the meet on both the vault (9.700) and beam (9.750). Shrewsbury’s Madeline Konz earned the top score on the uneven bars, finishing with a 9.625.
Barnstable, along with Medway/Holliston/Millis and Shrewsbury, will head to the New England championship March 12 at Dracut. The Red Raiders have captured the regional crown the last two seasons and Chase knows his team has the potential for a third straight title if it can raise the scores on beam.
“Regionals is going to be tough, Connecticut’s very tough,’’ Chase said. “If we hit beam, we should be okay.’’