St. Johnsbury gymnastics captures first state title since 2005

For the first time in 21 years, the St. Johnsbury Academy gymnastics team is the best in the state. The Hilltoppers scored 145.875 to win their first title since 2005 during the the Vermont high school state championship meet held at the school’s fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The Hilltoppers ended their drought behind their lone senior, Lydia Ruggles, who won the all-around title for the third year in a row. This year, Ruggles posted a 37.850 with the highest scores on bars (9.5) and floor (9.9). She posted the second-highest score on vault (9.4) and placed sixth in beam (9.05).

Ruggles score matches her all-around title-winning score from 2024. Brattleboro’s Lauren Chute finished second in the all-around for the third consecutive year with a 37.375.

The Hilltoppers posted the highest scores on vault (36.275), bars (35.425) and floor (38.100) events and won comfortably over runners-up Essex (140.100).

St. Johnsbury showcased their skills with five members finishing in the top eight of the all-around competition. Hannah Wood finished third in the all-around (37.20) and took the vault title with a 9.575.

2026 state championship results

At St. Johnsbury Academy (Saturday, Feb. 21)

Team scores: 1. St. Johnsbury 145.875; 2. Essex 140.100; 3. Brattleboro 134.975; 4. Champlain Valley 134.050; 5. Harwood 126.675; 6. Burr and Burton 103.900; 7. Middlebury 101.025.

All-around: 1. Lydia Ruggles, SJ 37.85; 2. Lauren Chute, Bratt 37.375; 3. Hannah Wood, SJ 37.20; 4. Kinley Remick, SJ 35.90; 5. Anna Colby, MMU 34.90; 6. Kate Quintin, E 34.875; 7. Peyton Thompson, SJ 34.275; 8. Malia Ignjatovic, SJ 34.225.

Vault: 1. Hannah Wood, SJ 9.575; 2. Lydia Ruggles, SJ 9.40; 3. Lauren Chute, Bratt 9.30; 4. Kinley Remick, SJ 8.725; 5. Anna Colby, MMU 8.70; 6. Kate Quintin, E 8.625 T7. Alice Leonard, E; MacKenna Parisi, E 8.60.

Bars: 1. Lydia Ruggles, SJ 9.50; 2. Lauren Chute, Bratt 9.25; 3. Hannah Wood, SJ, 9.20; 4. Kinley Remick, SJ 8.95; 5. Kate Quintin, E 8.65; 6. Ashley Gokey, E 8.225; 7. Alice Leonard, E 8.15; Elizabeth Bennett, E 7.80.

Beam: 1. Lauren Chute, Bratt 9.525; 2. Riley Hammond, E 9.45; 3. Anna Colby, MMU 9.35; T4. Malia Ignjatovic, SJ; Chloe Crowder, CVU 9.10; 6. Lydia Ruggles, SJ 9.05; 7. Emma Bennett, E 9.025; 8. Hannah Wood, SJ 9.0.

Floor: 1. Lydia Ruggles, SJ 9.90; 2. Peyton Thompson, SJ 9.475; 3. Hannah Wood, SJ 9.425; 4. Anna Wulff, Har 9.350; T5. Lauren Chute, Bratt; Kinley Remick, SJ; Anna Colby, MMU; Leah Fortin, CVU 9.30.

Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.