THE DANVERS-LYNNFIELD co-op gymnastics team is off to a strong start this season. After putting up 145.95 points against powerhouse Masco in the first meet, the Falcons defeated Marblehead-Swampscott for their first victory on Sunday. (Courtesy Photo)

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

PEABODY — It was another memorable year for the Danvers-Lynnfield High co-op gymnastics team last winter as the Falcons came in third place in the state finals behind Central Catholic (150.575) and Masconomet (149.925) with a score of 144.5.

Two years ago, the Falcons were second to Masco in the state finals as Central snapped Masco’s four-year state title reign.

In the regular season last year, Danvers-Lynnfield came in second place in the NEC-CAL going 6-1. Their only loss came to Masconomet. 

Two seniors, Kailyn Richards and Romane Bareyr, graduated from that team.

When winter practice opened back on Dec. 1,  head coach Jen Habeeb welcomed back 11 veterans. 

The two senior captains are Maddie Wescott of Danvers and Lynnfield’s Camryn Donovan.

Ollie Marshall and DeAnca Figuieredo, who are both from Danvers, are the two returning juniors.

The sophomore class features seven veterans: Sophia Catinazzo (Lynnfield), Anna Gorman (Lynnfield), Delainy Murphy (Danvers), Callie Donovan (Lynnfield), Hannah Moccia (Danvers), Kaylee Wescott (Danvers) and Rylee Sheppard (Danvers). 

On Jan. 5, the Falcons won their first meet of the season as they beat visiting Marblehead-Swampscott, 141.6-127.3, at Yellow Jackets in Peabody to go to 1-1 overall. 

Kaylee Wescott led the way coming in first place in all four events as she had an all-around total score of 38.15. She had a 9.4 on the vault, a 9.35 on the bars, a 9.6 on the beam and a 9.8 on the floor exercise. 

“It was another solid performance by Kaylee,” said Habeeb, who is in her 10th-year at the helm. “She is just so consistent. She had the same exact score in the first meet.” 

The Falcons swept second place in all of the events as Catinazzo was second in the vault (9.1) while Murphy captured second on the bars (8.55). 

Camryn Donovan placed second on the beam (8.7) while the Donovan sisters tied on the floor with scores of 9.05. 

The three third-place finishes were Camryn Donovan on the vault, (9.0), Moccia on the bars (7.9) and Murphy on the floor (8.7). 

In the season opener on Dec. 22, the Falcons lost to guest Masconomet, 147.35-145.95. 

“It was a great meet for us,” stated Habeeb, despite the defeat. “Masco has another great team but our girls exceeded my expectations for the first meet of the year.” 

Kaylee Wescott won the all-around with a 38.15. She was first on the bars (9.6), second in the vault (9.6) and beam (9.5) and was third on the floor (9.45). 

Camryn Donovan placed second on the bars (9.45). 

The Falcons next meet will be on Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. as they will face Bishop Fenwick. That meet will take place at Legends Gymnastics in North Andover.