After press time:
Melrose defeat Wakefield 133-123 (Jan. 24)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
STONEHAM—The Melrose High gymnastics team picked up their second win of their early season with a convincing 134.7-122.0 victory over Stoneham on the road on Friday, Jan. 17 to improve their record to 2-2 on the season.
It was their highest score of the season, thanks in part to very strong vault and floor routines, and overall, they swept the Spartans in every event.
Leading Melrose’s all-around efforts were Ashley Muller and Isabella Ferranti, who had a strong 34.15 effort in the night.
The team started the night on a strong vault event with a 34.0 point total on the efforts of Aislin Savage, Ashley Muller, Abby Dennison, Sumin Kang, Isabella Ferranti, and Noah Williamson who had the night’s best point total of 8.75 with his vault.
“Our vaults have been pretty consistent,” says Melrose head coach Denise Valdez. “Our goal is to try to upgrade the vaults. It’s been hard because with 2 meets last week and 2 meets this week, it doesn’t give us much practice time.
Melrose also secured nice scores on bars behind the work of Charlotte Blanchard, Ashley Muller, Isabella Ferranti, Sumin Kang, Aisling Savage and Hillary, Bush who led both teams in scoring with an 8.6.
“In practice we are trying to work on connections and finishing everything,” notes the coach. “Hopefully next week we will be able to get those upgrades as we will have a bit more practice time.”
On beam, Melrose took the event with a score of 33.5 behind the work of Ella Ugino, Maya Weissman, Sarah Moise, Ashley Muller, Leila Contin and Isabella Ferranti who wowed with a 9.0. Ferranti would later secure the best score of the night on floor, an impressive 9.2 that helped seal Melrose’s win. She was aided by the work of Ashley Muller, Sumin Kang, Aisling Savage, Hillary Bush and Noah Williamson.
After the meet, coach Valdez gave Ferrranti credit for her strong floor performances this season. “In the meets against Reading and Stoneham, Bella scored a 9.2. She is getting stronger and that is a great thing.”
Melrose has a busy week on tap with two meets against Woburn and Wakefield, the latter of which is on Friday on the road at 4:30 p.m. As they reach the midpoint of their season, there is been much to celebrate but also things to improve on, contends Valdez.
“First thing is confidence. Some of them are a little timid, especially on the beam. I need them to know they CAN do this. Even on floor, don’t just do the routine, perform the routine,” says the coach. “We need to give 100% and I know that they will. I know they will work hard.”