Woodstock Academy senior Lydia Taft competed in all of one meet last season, the New England championship, due to a back problem.
Her return was much anticipated by the Centaurs this season and in the season-opening meet Dec. 21, Taft did not disappoint.
The senior took first in the vault and floor exercise competitions and finished second in the All-Around.
That performance helped the Centaurs finish with a 146.85 point total to easily defeat Killingly/Putnam/Tourtellotte (130.45) and Norwich Free Academy (93.15).
“Having Lydia back in all 4 line ups was great and she showed everyone how strong she can be,” said Woodstock Academy coach Kasey Tocchio.
Taft won the floor exercise with a 9.55 total, the highest score on any of the apparatus for any gymnast on the evening.
Fellow Woodstock Academy senior Ali Crescimanno finished second to Taft on the floor with a 9.3.
Taft squeezed out a victory in the vault where she finished with a 9.1 score, just a tenth of a point higher the Crescimanno and Putnam High gymnast Maggie McKeon.
Crescimanno was best in the bars where she posted a 9.5 score, well ahead of Taft’s second-place 8.75 finish.
As a result, Crescimanno just edged out Taft in the All-Around competition, finishing one point better with a 36.4.
Abigail Vaida also scored well for the Centaurs.
The senior was best on the balance beam with a 9.0 score to hold off McKeon who finished with an 8.9.
Vaida finished with a 33.65 total while Maddie Grube added a 32.45.
“Abby had a great meet scoring great on beam and floor for us while Ali showed strong routines. These girls are going to help push each other all year and I see some great scores happening,” Tocchio said. “I am so proud of their first meet and it shows that they have a lot of potential this year.”
The Centaurs compete against Stonington on the road during the holiday break at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 3.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy

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