Starting off the season on the right foot simply isn't enough for the Battlefield gymnastics team.

About a couple dozen feet seems to be a bit better.

The Bobcats gymnasts captured first place in the silver division at the fourth-annual Bobcat Invitational this past Saturday, topping second-place finisher Stafford 104.925 to 104.825.

At their home gym in Haymarket, the BHS athletes dominated on the balance beam, winning that event by almost three full points at 27.225. All four of Battlefield's competitors in the event placed in the top four overall, with senior Alex Fairbanks leading the way.

Her 9.25 just edged out teammate Elena Patchan's 9.2 while Kassie Krivo (fourth; 8.775) and Victoria Krivo (sixth; 8.7) also came up big. No other team had an individual break a 9.0 on beam.

Patriot's Alexis Williamson, herself a former Bobcat, did manage to tie for sixth-place though with her own 8.7.

Battlefield shined per usual on the floor, winning outright with a 27.95 to Stafford's 27.625. Fairbanks earned her second gold of the day in that event with a 9.775, an impressive feat considering that she is using a new routine this year.

That comes after six years of performing and attempting to perfect the same choreography.

"I think that this shows her she can be very successful with that routine," said head coach Chevonne White.

Dancing to the Spanish tune "Esperanza", Fairbanks wanted surprises and to emphasize the dramatic before launching into tumbling.

"It's a very different music," she said. "No one has that type of music."

Kassie Krivo (9.175) and Patchan (9.0) also both broke the 9.0 mark in the event while Victoria Krivo checked in with an 8.65.

Fairbanks neared the top of the list in one other event on the day. Her 9.275 on the vault put her in second place behind a top showing by Colonial Forge's Ashley Elston.

The senior's worst score, an 8.2225 on the uneven bars, still placed her in the top 10 for that one too.

Combined, her four scores totaled 36.525, which tied her with Michaela Connally of North Stafford for first place in the all-around.

For the new-look Pioneers, Jessica Boon supplied the team's highest score. She was the only Patriot gymnast to break a 9.0 throughout the meet, scoring a 9.375 on the floor, which put her in fourth place.

Boon also led the Pioneers on the vault (8.75) and uneven bars (8.15).

Vanessa Lee racked up 30.375 points through four events, making her the only PHS member to compete in the all-around.

Brentsville District's Meghan Poole also competing, earning a 9.225 on the floor in the purple division.

Patriot is helmed this year by Amy Dignan, who has spent the last seven years coaching Stonewall Jackson.

Fellow former Raiders Katharine Brendle and Ciara Hunter also transferred to Patriot as did Lee and Madison Wilson from Brentsville District.

Five freshmen make up the inaugural gymnastics squad too for the new school, including Boon, Shelby Blanton, Kelsey Burrows, Arielle Lofton and Haley Negvesky.

"I think we all really meshed well together," said Dignan.

She expects Boone will eventually be joining Lee in the all-around.

Boone is "very bouncy," on the floor exercise, Dignan explained. "Her jumps and leads are beautiful. You can tell that when she goes in there, she has fun with it."

Lee mentioned that "most of the people know each other" on the team and the "new people are blending in really well.

"We're not as good as Battlefield but we have the potential to be," she added.

As for just when Patriot will be a major contender in the Cedar Run District, Dignan replied, "I'd say give us a solid year."

Battlefield has qualified for the Group AAA state meet three consecutive years, making the Bobcats the team to beat in the district and Northwest Region.

According to White, the team features no gymnasts currently competing with a club for the first time in years.

Still, Patchan, Erika Harrington, Hailey Artz and Fairbanks are all still involved with cheerleading on the side too.

"I think it's a big stress reliever," said Fairbanks about not competing in club.

Even without the number of club stars of the past, Fairbanks said "from the looks of it," the team has the experience to make another run toward states.

As for naysayers, well, they can go ahead and "try to keep up," she added.