Sammamish’s Sydney Griswold and Newport’s Maddie LoMauro thrive on stepping into the gymnastics spotlight.

The locals each racked up a pair of second-place finishes and medaled in the all-around competitions at the state gymnastics championships Feb. 21-23 at Sammamish High. Newport also notched third in the team competition in the 4A standings.

In 1A/2A/3A action, Griswold was runner up on the floor (9.600) and bars (9.550) and she snagged third on vault (9.440). In all around, she tied for fourth with a score of 37.550.

For LoMauro, she took second on vault (9.525) and floor (9.550) and earned a tie for eighth in all around (36.850).

“It feels awesome. I couldn’t have asked for a better team, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of coaches, I couldn’t have asked for a better performance. I’m just so blessed that I had this opportunity,” said LoMauro, a senior.

The Newport gymnast enjoyed her floor and vault routines the most. Vault is a natural, quick and fun event for her, something that’s ingrained in her body, she said. As for floor, she unveiled a new routine with stellar choreography where she can show off and smile for the crowd.

As a captain, LoMauro helped schedule many team-bonding events to pave the way for Newport’s success.

“The best part of a team is building a foundation and being best friends with everybody on your team and being able to call your team your second family,” said LoMauro, adding that the gym is a place, “Where you can just be yourself and have fun and just do cool tricks and flips.”

Griswold also shines on the floor when the music rolls and the gym is hers for a bit.

“Floor has always been my favorite event. I love performing and having fun and just getting the crowd really into it,” said Griswold, who worked hard at making all her event routines clean for finals.

She loves the challenge and thrill of the competition, which has gotten expectedly tougher over the years, she said. She tackles it wholeheartedly and knows she can’t control the outcomes, she added. She just goes for it.

“I’m proud of my performance today and definitely gonna be training hard in the offseason so that I can come back senior year and be ready to do my best,” said Griswold, adding that it was nice to compete on her home turf in front of family and friends.

“It definitely gives me energy and I love it, especially for floor. I can just hear them in the background, cheering for me. Makes me feel like I’m doing the right sport. I love this.”

Also for Newport, Bella Nilsen took seventh on vault (9.400) and eighth on bars (9.300).

Other Newport competitors in the all around were Nilsen, Carleigh Rendon, Maddy Thompson and Keerthi Sevugan.

Also competing in the individual finals were Sammamish’s Lilje Stratton and Bellevue’s Anna Littrell.

Newport’s Maddie LoMauro flows through her bars routine. Andy Nystrom / staff photo

Griswold attacks the vault event. Andy Nystrom / staff photo

Team Newport gathers before the 4A state competition. Andy Nystrom / staff photo