Rebuild: one leap at a time.
By: Ishita Agrawal
Staff Writer
The gymnastics team here at Westford Academy, have had 5 meets and are still waiting on a win with a high score of 126.7. Their average score for the season is 123.9. Stephanie Anderson, coach of the team, says that this year is a rebuilding year for the team. There are only nine members on the team, two and a half of which have been injured.
“The two injured gymnasts were both vital to the team”, says Anderson. One of the girls has recently acquired a no-activity note from her doctor, and the other one sprained her ankle one day before their first practice.
Hannah Goodwin, a gymnast that was referred by Anderson as the “half”, got injured and can only compete on bars, which is one event out of four.
The top scorers are Sarah Cusson, Amber Diluzio, and Danielle Craig.
The gymnastics team, which has existed since 1972, is made up of nine gymnasts. The two team captains are Sarah Cusson and Danielle Craig. The team manager is Bria Doherty. The other gymnasts are Amber DiLuzio, Hannah Goodwin, Chrissy McLean, Julie Apicco, Jenna Amato, Shana Hardy and Rebecca Order.
The team often practices at All-Star Gymnastics, which is owned by Tom Boncci, the assistant coach for the team. Anderson says that it is much easier to practice in the gym because there is no need for setting up or cleaning up.
The team usually practices at WA the day before a meet so that they are comfortable with the equipment. Practices at All-Star usually last for about one and a half hours and practices here at WA last for about 2 with cleaning up and setting up.
Anderson says that even though the team is not faring so well this year, they are doing pretty well, taking into account that this is a rebuild year for them. Their score this season so far is a 126.7.
The gymnastics team made a record score in 2006 with a score of 142.7. Records were also set in the years of 2009,2005, and 2004.
Anderson expects the team to do better in future meets because she says the girls are improving. The equipment supplied to the team by the school is the best equipment that is offered, giving the team a competitive edge.
“Bob Conley, the director of sports, has done a great job with the quality of the equipment he has provided. He is really big on safety and making sure that the equipment does not break or snap. Especially the bars and the beam”, says Anderson.