Wright tops the field in floor with 9.65
Published in the February 16, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High gymnastics team shined at the 2018 Middlesex League Championship held on Monday at Stoneham High. Melrose nabbed a second place finish thanks to a solid bar performance and dynamic floor routine, with Melrose’s Katie Wright wowing the crowd with a meet-high score of 9.65 on floor, a first place finish in the event.
Reading ultimately took the league title, with a hefty 145.725 points, while Melrose placed second at 137.825. Melrose finishes the regular season with a 5-1 record, their only loss to Reading.
ANOTHER STRONG season for the Melrose High gymnastics team, who finished 5-1 in regular season play. (Donna Larsson photo)
“The girls had a great meet, I am very proud of them,” says the coach. “Reading is a team that we think could go far in the state so we told them after the meet to represent the Middlesex League strong.”
Melrose started the evening off with a solid vault effort behind Brooke Heidebrecht, Nicole Bzui, Ciara Smith and Katie Wright, who led with an 8.8. Melrose took 34 points in the event.
Valdez was proud of their effort and pointed out Heidebrecht’s role. “She did a great job and is part of a great group of freshmen who I’m excited to have in the coming years.”
Melrose performed strongly in the bar routine, led by Shay Fennell, Jane Harrington, Katie Wright (9.1) and Ciara Smith, who topped at 9.2. Smith’s score gave her a silver medal in the event. Melrose earned 69.45 points which put them just below Reading.
While Melrose struggled in bars, (some falling off the apparatus) they earned a solid 9.175 score from Katie Wright, which helped keep Melrose ahead of most of the pack after three events at 101.825.
The Lady Raiders made up for lost points in their final event of the night: the floor exercise. Melrose sent Olivia Bernis, Gabrielle Prodgers, Izzy Abuja, Shay Fennell, Ciara Smith and Katie Wright to the floor. Shay Fennell earned 8.55 and Albuja impressed with a 8.65. Ciara Smith wowed with a 9.15 and Katie Wright blew the competition away (including Reading) with her 9.65, easily taking the event.
“That was her best routine all year and I had tears in my eyes watching her,” says Valdez. “She has a 10.0 start value and we add bonuses for her. She is a wonderful performer.”
Valdez also spoke with pride of the efforts of her seniors, Izzy Albuja, Shay Fennell, Mya Marshall and Olivia Bernis. “They competed wonderfully, and fought hard this season. I’m proud to see the work Shay in particular worked hard to come back from injury.”
Melrose hopes to qualify for a post season North Sectional appearance, a strong likelihood given their 140.00 point total in regular season competition. They will know on Thursday (post deadline) if they will compete in the MIAA North Sectional.
On Monday, Melrose sends two of its gymnasts to compete in the MIAA individual competition: Katie Wright and Ciara Smith.
