The Fuquay-Varina High School gymnastics team soared to new heights this season, capturing the 2025 State Championship and leaving a mark on the state gymnastics competition.
Gymnastics scoring includes four main events: bar, beam, vault and floor. For each event, athletes are scored out of 10 points, with 10 being a perfect score. The Bengals finished with a team score of 115.95.
With dedication, skill, and teamwork, the team turned every practice and competition into a stepping stone toward victory.
Senior Pyper Penland shared her perspective on the team’s success this year.
“We had more people on the team this season,” said Penland, highlighting how the larger roster helped strengthen practices and team dynamics.
She is very confident of the team’s ability, and as the season went on, she knew they could win state.
“Honestly, when we kept winning meet after meet, I started to realize we really had a chance,” said Penland.
Penland also reflected on her personal favorite event to compete in during the season. Her passion for the event showed the individual strengths she brought to the team’s overall performance.
“I’d say bars, because I just felt really good performing on it,” said Penland.
Senior Reagan Ziglar also emphasized the hard work that led to the championship.
Ziglar knew from the third meet that they had the potential to win state. She confidently believed in her team’s abilities and was proud of everything they had accomplished.
“By our third meet, when we started checking the scores, we realized we were consistently in the top three. That’s when we knew we could compete for state,” said Ziglar.
Ziglar also shared her favorite event of the season, which is vault. Noting how much she enjoyed the energy and excitement of performing in that event.
The FVHS gymnastics team’s success this season reflects not only individual talent but also teamwork, perseverance, and a supportive environment. Seniors like Penland and Ziglar leave a lasting legacy, inspiring future athletes to aim high and work together toward their goals.
Their victory at the state championship shows what dedication and unity can accomplish, and the team’s spirit promises to influence the program for years to come.
