By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High gymnastics team is 3-2 in the Middlesex League with back-to-back wins over Stoneham and Woburn this week, and tonight will host a tri-meet and Senior Night to mark their final home stand of their regular season, with an aim to qualify for post season in the coming weeks.
The fast-moving regular season finishes on the road on Feb. 9 against Winchester (held at Woburn High)
Melrose competed against both Reading and Woburn in a tri-meet held at Woburn High on Monday, Jan. 22 and in it they scored their highest point total to date, 135.5-126 against the Tanners. Paired against league titan Reading, they were edged 139-135, but their performances were memorable, and may have helped in an effort to qualify to North Sectionals for the first time since 2022.
A highlight on Monday was a remarkable 9.5 in beam by new freshman Haylee Smith, who also earned a big 9.2 on floor.
“Haylee was really solid on beam, it was our highest score of the season,” says Melrose head coach Denise Valdez.
Melrose also saw some more entries in the 9.0 Club courtesy of a beautiful 9.15 floor routine from sophomore Bella Ferrante and a 9.0 vault from Noah Williamson.
“We were excited to score 135. It was our highest of the season,” says the coach.
Melrose prevailed in vault over both Woburn and Reading with a score of 34.3, behind the work of Maya Weissman, Ashley Muller, Abby Dennison, Bella Ferrante, Sumin Kang and Noah Williamson. Bar efforts were done by Aislin Savage, Ashley Muller, Hillary Bush, Abby Dennison, Sumin Kang and Haylee Smith. Beam work was done by Grace Gentile, Ashley Muller, Katelyn Plourde, Sumin Kang, Bella Ferrante and Haylee Smith, with the 9.5 whopper.
Melrose killed it on floor behind efforts from Aislin Savage, Katelyn Plourde, Noah Williamson, Ashley Muller, Bella Ferrante and Haylee Smith. All around efforts were had by newcomer Ashley Muller, who had a great night with a 32.9 finish.
Says the coach, “The team is working hard and adding some new elements and we are still looking to add more.”
And they have time for that with this Friday’s tri-meet against Wakefield and Wilmington/Bedford at home at the Saugus YMCA.
They also will be celebrating Senior Night to honor their sole senior, captain Grace Gentile, a 4-year starter on the team.
Meet time is at 7:15 p.m. at the Saugus YMCA and pre-meet dedication starts shortly before.