ST. JOHNSBURY – Senior Lydia Ruggles claimed her third straight all-around individual state title and led the St. Johnsbury Academy (SJA) gymnastics team to their first team state championship since 2005 over the weekend.
The Hilltoppers finished the season undefeated, recording the highest score (145.875) in 17 years at a Vermont state championship. They were five points clear of two-time defending state champion Essex. The Lady Hornets have dominated the sport the past two decades, winning 15 state titles. Ruggles won the floor exercise (9.9) and the bars (9.5), while placing second in the vault and sixth in the beam. Ruggles is the only gymnast to win an all-around title for SJA in nearly 60 years.
Danville’s Eliska Siebenbrunner wrapped up a highly successful gymnastics season for the Lady Bears as an independent. The multi-sport standout posted multiple top-five finishes for Danville this winter.
Siebenbrunner excelled on the pitch for her Caledonia United soccer team last fall, earning a Vermont All-State selection.
