Poynton earns All-American honors

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Woodland gymnast Kristina Poynton, right, celebrates her senior day with twin sister Stephanie, left, mother Michelle, center, and coach Hal Rettstadt before a meet Feb. 18 at Kinetic Kids in Oxford. –KYLE BRENNAN

Woodland senior gymnast Kristina Poynton earned All-American honors based on her season’s worth of vaulting performances at the National High School Gymnastics Association Senior Showcase Invitational on May 17 in Fort Myers, Fla.

All-American accolades went to qualifying gymnasts who earned at least an 8.5 average in their top five vaulting events of the season. Poynton’s average was 9.1.

As far as the national competition, Poynton laughed off her performances.

“I fell on all four of my events,” she said. “I think it was because I got nervous because it was nationals. I don’t care, though — it was fun.”

Poynton, who plans on competing on Sacred Heart University’s club team next year, earned a 6.85 on the balance beam, 7.25 on the floor, 7.6 on the uneven bars, and 8.5 on the vault.

The gymnastics competition came just before her championship season in track. She took about a week and a half off to escalate her gymnastics training before returning to her jump training May 20. One day later, she won the Naugatuck Valley League’s triple jump title.

“She came to practice Monday and turned in two good performances Tuesday,” Woodland track coach Jeff Lownds said.