THE MELROSE High gymnastics team is unbeaten at 3-0 with big wins over Winchester, Arlington and Woburn. Pictured is junior captain Grace Gentile. (courtesy photo)

 

Beat Woburn & Arlington; Burlington tonight

 

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose High gymnastics team is unbeaten on the season at 3-0 following back-to-back sweeps over Middlesex Large rivals Woburn and Arlington. Melrose enjoyed their highest point total of the season with their victory over the Spy Ponders last Friday, Jan. 13 at the Saugus YMCA with a total of 130.95 to Arlington’s 128.8. Tonight, they host Burlington and look to go 4-0 against the Red Devils.

Melrose prevailed in two events against Arlington (vault, bars) by enough of a margin to edge their rivals. Melrose took advantage of the work of their all-around competitors Grace Burke and Isabelle Ferranti, who shined on the vault and floor.

Melrose’s strong vault group did the job, earning a total of 33.45 behind the work of Abigail Dennison, Sofia Pitcher, Grace Burke and Isabella Ferranti. On bars, Melrose capitalized on high scores from Burke and Ferranti to take the event 31.8-30.25. They fell just shy of Arlington in beam but had solid work from Ferranti, Burke, Katelyn Plourde and Sofia Pitcher. Arlington outperformed Melrose on the floor but it wasn’t enough to sway the score in their favor and Melrose relied on a solid collective effort from Sumin Kang, Katelyn Plourde, Grace Burke and Isabella Ferranti (8.7) to maintain the overall edge. Melrose took the night, 130.95-128.8.

“I’m so proud of this team,” says Melrose head coach Denise Valdez after the meet. “From the beginning of the season until now they’ve worked so hard.”

The victory follows their resounding win over Woburn on Tuesday, Jan. 10 by a score of 128.75-122.4. Melrose swept every event, with their best showing being once again the vault, with leading scores from Isabella Ferranti (8.8) along with Noah Williamson, Abigail Dennison and Grace Burke. Other standout performances included Ferranti’s work in both the team and floor and solid scores from Grace Burke and Katelyn Plourde in floor and beam.

Melrose will next host Burlington at home at 7:15 p.m. this Friday evening at the Saugus YMCA.

“There’s still work to do,” says Valdez. “But these kids want it.”