By ALEX SPONSELLER The Warwick co-op gymnastics team put on a show at the state championships this past weekend at Rhode Island College, breaking the program’s record score and securing the Division I State Championship.

Sophomore Maddie Long continued to cement her place as the state’s best floor athlete, winning the individual event with a score of 9.700.

“She was ranked No. 1 all season, but when she got to the beam she made some uncharastic mistakes. I think the floor was her way of kind of firing back and saying, ‘I’m not done,’ and she did it, it was a beautiful routine,” said Warwick coach Candis Kowalik.

Long finished sixth all-around, while junior Riley Bromage finished fourth all-around.

“Riley also had an amazing meet. Her bars and floor were her career high, beam was her season high and her overall was her highest in high school. She was super consistent last year but unfortunately did not get to show that off at the state meet. This year she was always one of our top competitors and she got the recognition that she deserved,” Kowalik said.

Katie Ignagni finished 11th in the all-around followed by Kaleigh Catucci who placed 14th.

Warwick entered the state meet as the projected favorite after winning its region and boasting an undefeated record. Runner-up La Salle kept things close throughout the day, but Warwick would walk away with the edge.

“We were super excited. We weren't sure how things were going to play out until second place was announced but you could see it on all of their faces, they were squeezing hands, they were really excited. It was awesome,” said Kowalik, who is set to return all four of the aforementioned athletes next winter season.

“We have four really strong all-arounders coming back. We will be losing our seniors who start us off each routine, so we’ll be taking a hit in that area, but I think they’re really excited to know that they did this as sophomores. They’re excited to know that they’re only going to get better and their consistency is only going to get better. They already have goals for next year which is great to see,” said Kowalik.

The team will, however, be losing its senior leader in Sophia Schobel, who has been a tone setter all season for the co-op.

“Sophia Schobel is an absolutely amazing starter for our team. She goes first on every event and calms everyone’s nerves. She almost always gets us a secure score, if someone behind her struggles, her score almost always counts. She’s an amazing athlete, always determined, she just has so much passion for this sport. She’s going to be a major loss for our team,” said Kowalik.

Despite her loss, Kowalik is confident in the other girls stepping into the leadership role and has already begun seeing them grab the reins this season.

“Maddie and Riley have already started to take on those responsibilities, helping build consistency and helping each other,” Kowalik said. “They really started backing each other in the events.”