Published in the January 31, 2018 edition

WAKEFIELD — After a 2-0 start to the season, the WMHS gymnastics team ran into two of the best teams in the Middlesex League in Reading and Winchester. The Warriors put up good numbers in both of these meets but the opposition was locked in, sending Wakefield to a 2-2 record.

On Tuesday, Jan. 23, the Warriors traveled to Reading to take on a powerhouse Rockets team.

COURTNEY COLLINS has been one of Wakefield’s best competitors in the vault. Collins scored an 8.15 against Reading and an 8.5 for a team-high score against Winchester on Jan. 25. (Donna Larsson Photo)

Reading put up an impressive 140.95 total score, and although few teams in the state would be able to match that, the Warriors played their game and put up 133.05.

Reading won the vault, 35.05 to 32.45. The top four scorers for Wakefield were Lola Barrett (8.3), Courtney Collins (8.15) and Ava Licciardi and Elise Rich who each scored an 8.0.

As was the case in all four events, Reading had the depth with high marks for all four of their top scorers in the bars. Even still, the Warriors were close as the Rockets won the event, 34.6 to 33.9. Barrett was the best competitor on the bars with a 9.2, besting Reading’s own all-around gymnast, Emily Eagleston, who scored a 9.1.

The Rockets took control of the meet with an excellent performance on the beam as they scored a 34.85 to Wakefield’s 32.15. Wakefield was led by Giana Liotine (8.5), Barrett (8.3) and Rich (8.15).

Barrett was phenomenal once again in the final event, as she scored a 9.2 in the floor exercise, and despite a great team score of 34.55, the Rockets showed why they were one of the best on the floor with a 36.45. Liotine scored an 8.7 for Wakefield and Licciardi (8.55) and Alana Willis (8.1) also had great floor routines.

Against Winchester at WMHS on Thursday, the Warriors overcame a deficit from the vault to comeback and nearly catch their opponents.

Winchester jumped out to a lead with dazzling 35.95 in the vault. The Warriors scored a 33.44, led by Collins (8.5), Licciardi (8.4), Rich (8.35) and Bridget Noell (8.3).

The Warriors kept themselves in it by winning the bars, 32.1-31.8. Wakefield got the top two scores in the event, led by Barrett (8.65) and Liotine (8.15).

Wakefield then edged Winchester on the balance beam, 33.8-33.7, putting the cumulative score at Winchester 101.45, Wakefield 99.45.

Rich and Liotine each impressed with the top two scores on the beam as both got an 8.6. Barrett and Collins followed that up by each getting an 8.3.

Wakefield would need a huge performance on the floor exercise to come back from a two-point deficit and unfortunately, Winchester held on to win the event 34.3-33.35. Barrett got a 9.15, followed by an 8.2 from Liotine and an 8.1 from Willis.

The Warriors will look to get back in the win column today, as they host Arlington, starting at 4:30 at WMHS.