Published February 13, 2019

By DAN PAWLOWSKI

ARLINGTON — The Wakefield High gymnastics team made sure they went into the Middlesex League Meet on Monday with plenty of momentum, putting together one of their best performances of the season on Friday night to beat Arlington for their fourth straight win.

“It was an awesome way to end the regular season,” said Wakefield head coach Rachel Lucas as the Warriors got their second highest team score of the year (140.35). “Really impressive performances by all of our gymnasts to end the season on a high note.”

With that win, the Warriors ended the year at an astounding 7-1 which is the best the record in recent memory at Wakefield High.

ELISE RICH scored an incredible 9.3 on the balance beam during Wakefield last regular season meet against Arlington on Friday night. (Donna Larsson File Photo)

After the program hadn’t won a meet in over ten years, coach Lucas brought immediate success during her first season last year as Wakefield won four meets. This year, the Warriors proved they had another level to get to, with their only loss coming to league powerhouse Reading.

Breaking 140 is no easy task in high school gymnastics. Wakefield got the job done in Arlington after another excellent combination of individual talent and team depth.

Once again it was Lola Barrett who set the tone with an all-around performance of 36.2. Barrett got a 9.2 on vault, 8.8 on bars, 8.8 on beam and 9.4 on floor. Her skill in multiple events most definitely stacks up valuable points, but winning is also about culture. Barrett has proven to be a good teammate as well.

“It was a standout all around performance by Lola Barrett,” said Lucas. “She has been an outstanding competitor and supportive team member all season.”

Also impressive as an all around gymnast once again was Giana Liotine who got a 34.15 with an 8.3 on vault, 8.2 on bars, 8.65 on beam and 9.0 on floor.

SYDNEY YEE was strong in multiple events during Wakefield’s win in Arlington on Friday. In addition to her 8.9 on the balance beam, Yee scored an 8.5 on bars and a 9.1 on floor. (Donna Larsson Photo)

Captain Elise Rich (8.5) and Jessie Maffe (8.4) both performed well on vault to give Wakefield a 34.4-31.95 lead after the first event.

Wakefield put in some strong work on bars to take a commanding lead.

“It was a solid bar performance by Molly Grady, Giana Liotine, Sydney Yet and Lola Barrett,” said Lucas.

Along with Barrett’s 8.8 and Liotine’s 8.2, Grady got an 8.6 and Yee scored an 8.5.

Then, Rich, as she has done multiple times before, stole the show on the balance beam.

“Elise Rich had an exceptional beam routine,” said Lucas, landing on the perfect word to describe Rich’s 9.3. The Warriors rounded out the event with good scores from Yee (8.9), Barrett (8.8) and Liotine (8.6).

In the final event of the regular season, Wakefield made sure to make it a memorable one scoring a 36.2 on floor to officially put their meet score at 140.35.

“Floor was the best we’ve had all season with Sydney Yee (9.1), Giana Liotine (9.0) and Lola Barrett (9.4) all earning scores of 9 or higher,” said Lucas. “Floor specialist Alana Willis was not far behind them with an 8.7, contributing to our team score.”

It was certainly an exciting way to end what has been an historic season for Wakefield gymnastics.

The Warriors had an excellent performance at the League Meet on Monday, upping last year’s third-place finish by nabbing second place with a team score of 139.25. A full story will appear at a later date.