SYDNEY YEE continues to impress on the balance beam for the Warriors this season. Yee led Wakefield with an 8.9 against Stoneham last week and scored an 8.55 against Bishop Fenwick on Tuesday. (Donna Larsson Photo)

Published in the January 17, 2019 edition.

STONEHAM — The WMHS gymnastics team, still buzzing after their huge win over Melrose to start the season, defeated Stoneham in an evenly-matched competition and followed that up with a non-league win over Bishop Fenwick, bringing their overall record to 3-0 to start the season.

Although Wakefield won each event the Warriors and Spartans were never separated by more than 0.6 points.

“It was a close meet,” said Wakefield head coach Rachel Lucas, who knows that staying composed during these kinds of contests can help the team later in the season. “It helps us keep our cool regardless of the scores. We just want to focus on each event as we go.”

Wakefield had the smallest margin of victory in the opening vault. Giana Liotine (9.0) and Molly Grady (8.9) really stood out on the vault and Lola Barrett (8.5) and Elise Rich (8.2) did enough to get the Warriors a 34.6-34.5 lead.

In bars, Barrett (8.8) and Sydney Yee (8.4) led the way, with Liotine (8.35) also adding to the 33.35-32.7 score which gave Wakefield a cumulative 67.95-67.2 lead.

Much of Wakefield’s early-season success can be credited to the depth on the team. The Warriors have a few All-Stars, but having multiple players specialize in certain events and step up when they’re needed is the difference between a good team and a great team.

The Warriors showed that depth on the balance beam, as five of the six competitors scored at least an 8.2. Grady (8.2), Rich (8.3), Courtney Collins (8.6), Barrett (8.8) and Yee (8.9) all stepped up to edge a Spartan team who was all the while on their heels, 34.6-34.2.

With the score 102.55-101.4 heading into the floor exercise, the Warriors knew they needed to be on their game to close it. What they got was a steady performance from each competitor.

Barrett (9.0) and Grady (8.9) led the way, but everyone stepped up, including Liotine (85.5), Yee (8.0), Ava Licciardi (7.7) and Alana Willis (7.7), to give Wakefield a 137-135.45 win over a very good program.

Against Fenwick on Tuesday, the Warriors improved as a group from their Stoneham meet, getting better total scores in each event. That’s a great sign as Wakefield is proving that are committed to improving as the season goes on.

“It was a non-league meet which was a lot of fun for the team,” said Lucas. “There were great performances all around.”

Lola Barrett scored a 9.1 to lead the way on the vault. Molly Grady (8.95) and Giana Liotine (8.9) were also stellar on vault, leading to a 35.25-32.35 lead.

Barrett (8.8) and Sydney Yee (8.25) were especially impressive on bars.

Captain Elise Rich stole the show on the beam, earning her first 9 of the season, and getting a 9.1 for good measure to lead the Warriors. Yee (8.55) and Grady (8.5) were also great, essentially putting the meet out of reach for the Crusaders.

Barrett finished her impressive day with an incredible 9.3 on the floor. Liotine (8.8), Yee (8.7) and Alana Willis (8.7) finished up another great overall performance from the Warriors.

“The team has been working hard,” said Lucas. “We are looking forward to the rest of the season.”

The Warriors get another big test today when they travel to Reading Gymnastics Academy to take on the Rockets.