Beaver Area gymnasts are vaulting to the top of the WPIAL standings.

This season saw the return of an official gymnastics team for Beaver Area, the first it has fielded in many years. The team consisted mostly of underclassmen, but despite this fact they found success at various section and championship meets throughout the year.

Due to the newness of the team, the Bobcats were not able to qualify as a team to championship meets. Despite this unfortunate setback, the Beaver Area gymnasts still managed to compete at multiple meets to qualify for the WPIAL Individual Championships.

The WPIAL Gymnastics Championships took place February 9-10 at Moon Area High School.

The first day of competition featured the Silver Division in which four Bobcat gymnasts competed. Freshman phenom Peyton Teapole had an impressive meet with a high floor score of 8.925 to take first place beating out 42 other gymnasts in a large division.

In addition to her gold medal winning floor routine, Teapole took second all around with a total score of 33.45 just missing out on another gold. Teapole also was eighth on vault with a score of 8.25.

Only a freshman, Teapole is sure to find WPIAL success in the coming seasons after an amazing first season.

Three other Beaver Area gymnasts found success in the silver division. Junior Rylie Teapole took sixth place on beam with a score of 8.3. Rylie also placed 11th in the all around with a total score of 32.7.

Freshman Malaya Oster took 16th on vault with a high score, 8.675. Vault was very competitive this year in the WPIAL and state with only a few nines being awarded to competitors.

Freshman Maddie Williams didn’t let this challenge stop her as she placed fifth on vault with a score of 8.85. Williams also placed 13th on bars with a score of 8.025 and tenth all around with a total score of 32.7.

In this competitive silver division, three Beaver Area athletes placed in the top 12 all around showing sparks of success for this up and coming Bobcat team.

“I think we had a very strong team for the first official season, and we got to welcome the new girls to the team for their first varsity season,” said Rylie Teapole.

In addition to the Bobcat gymnasts competing in the silver division, junior Avery Cutshall competed in the upper gold division. Cutshall had a solid meet, placing fifth on vault with a score of 9.075. Cutshall also placed tenth on beam with an 8.45 and 19th all around with a 33.575.

After a great WPIAL meet and end to the season, the future is bright for these Bobcat gymnasts!