The GHSA Gymnastics State Championships proved successful for Buford and North Oconee, crowned as the respective 5A-6A Class and A-5A Class champions. Both teams undeniably displayed their talent, with Marissa Ashton from Buford and Hannah Aoki from Oconee County taking the individual All-Around titles with perfect 10.000 scores and a combined nine gymnasts from North Oconee and Buford placing in the top four individual categories. The final Team Scores also illustrated their ongoing excellence among their competitive divisions.
On Friday, Buford and North Oconee proudly defended their state titles at the GHSA Gymnastics State Championships, showcasing their prowess in the sport. Buford earned its fifth all-time championship with 114.825 total points, having captured three consecutive titles from 2014-16. North Oconee made history in 2019 when the Class A-5A division was first implemented, earning its fourth consecutive title to remain the only program in the state ever to hold a Class A-5A title.
Marissa Ashton of Buford and Hannah Aoki of Oconee County took the All-Around titles with perfect 10.000 scores. At the same time, McCall McMullen of North Oconee earned third in the All-Around behind Cambridge’s Anjali Roy. Sienna Zuccaro and Emily Gittemier of North Oconee took first in the Bars and Beam, respectively, with scores of 9.600. The Titans had eight gymnasts in the top four, edging out second-place Oconee County’s five. Overall, it was a triumphant showing for both Buford and North Oconee, having once again demonstrated their superiority in the sport through multiple individual and team successes.
Class 6A-7A Team Scores
All-Around Category
Bars Category
The Class 6A-7A Team Scores were remarkable, with Buford leading the pack with a score of 114.825. Carrollton followed close behind at 111.700, while Forsyth Central and North Forsyth tied for third place with 111.100. In the All-Around category, Marissa Ashton from Buford was victorious with a score of 39.575, Mani Fofana from West Forsyth with 38.850, and Katie Andrews from Forsyth Central with 38.575. Amber Lowe from Allatoona placed fourth with 38.400. Lastly, in the Bars category, Marissa Ashton from Buford came out on top with 9.825, Logan Otteson from North Forsyth in second with 9.775, Amber Lowe from Allatoona in third with 9.525, and Katie Andrews from Forsyth Central in fourth with 9.500. These competitors have worked hard to achieve such success.
Floor Results
Paragraph: Marissa Ashton and Lily Black from Buford tied for first place on the floor with a 10.00. Katie Andrews from Forsyth Central placed third with a 9.900, and Amber Lowe again secured fourth place with a 9.575.
Marissa Ashton from Buford showcased her impressive beam routine, scoring a 9.850 and taking the top spot. Mani Fofana from West Forsyth followed closely behind with a score of 9.650. Alyssa Strain from Allatoona was just behind her with a 9.400, and Amber Lowe, also from Allatoona, came in fourth with a 9.300. On the floor, Marissa Ashton and Lily Black, both from Buford, tied for first place with a 10.00. Katie Andrews from Forsyth Central placed third with a 9.900, and Amber Lowe again secured fourth place with a 9.575. Amber Lowe also shone on Vault, earning herself the top spot with a perfect 10.000. Logan Otteson from North Forsyth also earned 10.000, while Mani Fofana from West Forsyth came in third with the same score. Katie Andrews from Forsyth Central rounded out the top four with a 9.925.
All-Around Competition
The all-around competition at the Class A-5A team scores saw Hannah Aoki from Oconee County take first place with a score of 38.225, followed by Anjali Roy from Cambridge in second at 37.075, McCall McMullen in third from North Oconee at 36.925, and Hannah Shultz from Bremen in fourth with 36.800.
The Class A-5A team scores showed an impressive performance, with North Oconee taking first place with a score of 112.375, followed by Oconee County at 109.825 and Bremen at 108.050. Villa Rica rounded out the top four with 103.300. In the all-around competition, Hannah Aoki from Oconee County took first place with a score of 38.225, with Anjali Roy from Cambridge in second at 37.075, McCall McMullen in third from North Oconee at 36.925, and Hannah Shultz from Bremen in fourth with 36.800. On bars, Sienna Zuccaro from North Oconee led the way with a score of 9.600, Hannah Aoki from Oconee County at 9.350, Emory Shepherd from North Oconee at 9.200, and Elenor Pichetto from Oconee County at 9.050.
Floor Event Results
Competing today in the beam event were Emily Gittemeier of North Oconee, Anjali Roy of Cambridge, and Ella Thurman of Cambridge, with a score of 9.600, 9.575, and 9.525, respectively. McCall McMullen of North Oconee scored 9.400. In the floor event, Hannah Aoki of Oconee County scored an impressive 9.950, followed by Kate Stetter of North Oconee with a score of 9.300, Nyla Loyd of Stephenson with a score of 9.225, and Chloe McDonald of North Oconee with 9.175. Great performances all around!
The 2019 GHSA Gymnastics State Championships underscores the dominance of both Buford and North Oconee in gymnastics. The championships saw each program extend titles for additional years, setting countless records. Marissa Ashton and Hannah Aoki posted perfect 10.000 scores to take home individual All-Around titles, proving it is possible if you put consistent and challenging work into achieving athletic excellence. McCall McMullen of North Oconee took third in the All-Around, where Sienna Zuccaro and Emily Gittemier of the same program succeeded in their respective relationships with Bars and Beam. From team wins to individual titles and triumphs, it is undeniable that Buford and North Oconee have dominated the last few years as they remain leading forces in gymnastics.
