WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield High gymnastics team earned victories over Medford on Jan. 7 and Malden on Jan. 14, improving to 2-2 on the season.
The Warriors have continued to work on their individual and team scores since, in meets against strong Middlesex League opponents, Burlington, Reading and Melrose.
Wakefield will look to get back in the win column tonight when they host Stoneham at 5 p.m.
The team’s first win of the season against the Mustangs at Wakefield High featured a strong team score of 122.75, easily cruising past Medford who put up 94.4.
The Warriors started out strong on vault as Liv Wall, Michaela Lyons, Tori Grace and Cara Carangelo each earned an 8.0 or higher, contributing to the team event score of 32.6.
Wakefield went on to outscore the visitors on bars as well led by Grace (7.5), Carangelo (7.35) and Sophia Tulipani (7.1).
Olivia Manzi entered the varsity beam lineup for the first time, ensuring that Wakefield could list six athletes for the event. She kicked off a series of great routines which would end up being the best beam performance score for Wakefield so far this season.
Wall and Izzy LoCoco scored matching 7.6’s adding to Tulipani’s 7.7.
Danielle McCauley led the way on beam with an 8.2, the second highest score of the meet behind Wall’s 8.3 on vault.
Lyons anchored the Warriors on floor with a routine she calls a ‘floor party,’ according to coach Meg Delory.
“Michaela’s floor routine is so entertaining,” said Delory. “Her high-quality performance, energy and tumbling power are the ultimate combination and it’s one of the best ways to end a meet. She gets everyone involved, and it’s so fun to see her teammates doing her choreography while they’re cheering her on.”
Lyons joined Grace (7.8), Wall (7.6) and LoCoco (7.4) to impact the event score. Carangelo and Tulipani also had strong performances on floor.
Wakefield’s second win of the season against Malden on Jan. 14 at WMHS had a final score of 116.1-102.4.
The Warriors were winners before the meet even started. Senior captain Giuliana O’Neill prepared yellow ribbons for the team to wear throughout the competition in honor of childhood cancer awareness and Lyons invited guests to consider donating to recovery efforts in Los Angeles due to the wildfires.
“Our community of fans and the Malden team helped us raise more than $100 to donate to the cause with gymnastic centers lost to the fires in mind too,” said Delory.
Wakefield was plenty successful in their routines as well.
Wall took first on vault with an 8.4. Lyons, Grace and Carangelo followed close behind with just a .1 difference between each.
Grace took first on bars with a 7.65.
Tulipani led Wakefield’s beam effort with a 7.15.
In her varsity debut, freshman Danika Manki earned one of Wakefield’s top four beam scores, contributing to the event total of 26.35.
Building on her strong overall performance, Grace also took first on floor with a 7.6 and Carangelo followed with a 7.5. LoCoco and Lyons rounded out the top four on floor with matching 7.0’s.
Wakefield’s three meets this week will finish up their regular season. Their meet against the Spartans tonight will be the final one at home as Wakefield will honor their seniors.
Then, the Warriors will travel to Woburn on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and Wilmington on Thursday at 7 p.m.