By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
TEWKSBURY — The North Reading-Andover High co-op gymnastics team had its end-of-season banquet on March 5 at Luna Rossa in Tewksbury. That evening, head coach Marlena Bresnick gave out five awards.
The Most Valuable Gymnast Award went to Alex Lee.
Lee was the team’s top all-arounder this winter as she was named a Merrimack Valley Conference First-Team All-Star. In the North Sectionals last month, the North Reading freshman came in 10th-place in the all-around with a score of 36.275.
The Top Contributing Performer Award went to Kelsie Berry. Berry, another North Reading freshman, was also an MVC First-Team All-Star as she made it in the vault.
The Rookie of the Year award went to another North Reading 9th-grader, Alexis Ciavardone. Ciavardone competed in all four events at different times this season and made the MVC Second-Team All-Stars this winter.
The Coaches Award went to the other MVC Second-Team All-Star, Izzy Laski. Laski, an Andover resident, was the team’s captain and lone senior on the roster.
Andover’s Anna Moccia received the Hidden Gem Award. Moccia is a sophomore.
This was a very successful first season for the co-op program as they came in 2nd place in the MVC going 7-1 behind undefeated Central Catholic.
The Warnets came in 3rd place in the MVC League Meet behind Central and North Andover, who they beat in the regular season.
In the North Sectional, they just missed qualifying for the state final as they came in 5th place (only the top four advanced).
There were 12 schools competing.
“This was our first year as a co-op with North Reading and it couldn’t have gone any better,” stated Bresnick, who just completed her fourth-year at the helm. “The girls exceeded my expectations.”
The team will lose just Laski to gradation as they are slated to return nine veterans next year.
“Izzy was a great leader and consistent scorer for us,” said Bresnick.
With all of the veterans expected to return, the Warnets have a good shot of winning the MVC crown next season.
“I am really looking forward to next year,” said Bresnick. “Hopefully we can start where we left off.”
The captains for next year were also selected by Bresnick and assistant coach Sarah Muolo and they will be Olivia Moccia (Anna’s twin sister) and Vihangi Maniar, who is a junior.