Colonials take second, New Englands next.

• Author: Gearan, Jay
• Position: Sports

Byline: Jay Gearan

NORTHBORO -- February is over, but the Shrewsbury High girls' gymnastics team will move on in March.

After a 15-0 regular season, a league championship triumph and a second-place in sectionals, the Colonials placed second in Saturday night's state championship meet at Algonquin High School.

With the runner-up finish, Shrewsbury qualified for the New England championships set for Saturday at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire.

With 147.35 points, Barnstable captured the state championship for the third year in a row and 11th out of the last 16 years.

Shrewsbury finished second with 145.05 points, followed by Newton South with 140.

"This is a win for us,'' Shrewsbury coach Heather Fulginiti said. "This marks the first time Shrewsbury has advanced to the New Englands.''

Shrewsbury was led by junior Ally McNeil, who was the Colonials' top all-around gymnast, and junior Maddie Konz, who excelled on uneven bars and balance beam.

"We came in fifth last year, so this is great,'' said McNeil, who got a surprise date request to the junior prom after the meet...