Gymnastics: Chohon takes second all-around title in win over Loveland

The Niwot gymnastics team picked up its second win of the season last Wednesday, with a 174.35 to 164.725 victory over the Loveland Indians. Niwot’s Linday Chohon took first place in three out of four individual events to claim her second all-around title of the year, while sophomore Taylor Green took second and freshman Grace Stephenson was third.

Following the meet, Niwot head coach Marisa Purcell was pleased with her squad’s overall performance, especially in the floor exercises

“I see them coming together,” the coach said after her team’s second straight dual victory. “I see them getting more excited about their teammates, and they’re showing off their routines.”

“We worked hard this week on jumps,” the coach continued. “Jumps are a big deal in floor, and every single one of them improved on their floor routine.”

Niwot gymnasts had the top three individual scores in each event except beam. Chohon took the top spot in floor (9.35), vault (9.25), and uneven bars (9.0), and was second in beam (8.85) behind teammate Green (9.125). Green took second in vault (9.1) and bars (8.8), but got edged out of second on floor by Stephenson.

Senior Lilliana Martin, who was voted team captain earlier in the week, competed in just two events due to lingering soreness in her ankle. She took third overall in the uneven bars (9.05), but had trouble staying on the beam. Martin’s co-captain, junior Izzie Mitchell, captured her second straight third place medal in vault, while senior Carley Simmons, making her season debut, took sixth overall in beam (8.025) and vault (8.175).

Niwot also got a boost from Amber Nusser, who moved up to varsity all-around in place of Martin. The sophomore, who nabbed fourth place in floor (9.0) and in beam (8.1), said she was happy with her performance on the night, but even happier with the team’s.

“It really comes back to the team and how we did better,” Nusser said after the meet. “We upped our score by two points, and we’re all pretty excited about that.”

“She had a great evening overall,” Purcell said of the sophomore, who missed the Cougars’ first meet against Fort Collins. “I am so impressed and excited for her.”

The Cougars are at home against Mountain Range on Sep. 13, and then hit the road for a dual at Rocky Mountain on Sep. 21.

Niwot 174.35, FORT COLLINS 163.725

All-around — 1. Chohon, 36.55; 2. Green, 35.825; 3. Stephenson, 33.825

Vault — 1. Chohon, 9.325; 2. Taylor, 9.125; 3. Mitchell, 8.9.

Uneven bars — 1. Chohon, 9.0; 2.Taylor, 8.8; 3. Martin, 8.75.

Floor — 1. Chohon, 9.35; 2. Stephenson, 9.25; 3. Green, 9.20.

Beam — 1. Green, 9.125; 2. Chohon, 8.85; 3. Loveland