MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County gymnastics team became the first team from outside of Metro Atlanta to win a state championship when the Lady Packers outpointed Milton on Friday in the finals held at Westminster School in Atlanta.

“We pulled it out on vault,” said Donna Marshall, Colquitt County’s first-year coach. “I am so excited. And our girls are so proud. They did it. They pulled it off.

“We’re bringing home the trophy.”

Ironically, Milton finished first in the state qualifying meet last week at Lovett, edging Colquitt County.

Both teams advanced to the championships, but the Lady Packers were able to turn the tables and win a surprising state championship.

The Lady Packers scored a 108.75. The scores of the other five teams were unavailable at press time.

Colquitt County’s Leah May and Meghan Marshall earned All-State honors at the meet.

May was second on beam, second on floor and third all around. Marshall was fourth on vault, fifth on beam and fourth all around.

Marshall was third on vault and fourth on floor last year.

The other team members are Rachel Dampier, Crystal Blizzard, Kaitlyn Tucker, Krista Wood, Temira Davis and Arrienne Miller.

This year’s appearance in the state finals was the fifth in the last seven years for Colquitt County.

The Lady Packers were sixth in 2000, third in 2001 and fourth in 2002.

After failing to qualify for the finals in 2003 and 2004, Colquitt reached the finals again last year.

The finals traditionally has been the place for the Metro Atlanta schools that have gymnastics teams to fight it out for the championship.

Roswell won it last year with 107.525. Colquitt County was sixth with a 101.575.

Roswell was third on Friday, followed by Walton, Newnan and Lassiter.

Also on Friday, Colquitt County’s Becky Bevacqua was honored by the Georgia High School Gymnastics Judges as the state’s Judge of the Year.

“So we are bringing home two awards,” Donna Marshall said.