Vault, floor tough to beat as Melrose starts 3-0

By JENNIFER GENTILE

SPRINGING TO success. The Melrose High School girls gymnastics team improved to 3-0 with wins over Wakefield and Burlington last week. Pictured is senior captain Audrey McFarland on the beam. (Donna Larsson photo)

SPRINGING TO success. The Melrose High School girls gymnastics team improved to 3-0 with wins over Wakefield and Burlington last week. Pictured is senior captain Audrey McFarland on the beam. (Donna Larsson photo)

MELROSE — Winning isn’t exactly new for the five-year reigning Middlesex League champ Melrose High gymnastics team but half the fun is getting there. The Lady Raiders have flipped, rolled and sprung to an undefeated 3-0 record to the start of the season after wins over Stoneham, Wakefield and Burlington. It’s a quick season for Denise Valdez’ hard working squad, their senior night is already approaching this Friday night against Reading. But they still have four meets ahead to conquer in order to perfect another flawless season, this from a team who have not lost a meet in five years.

Knock on wood, of course. Every year is different for Melrose but so far the team has proven tough to beat. In particular they’ve been pretty lights out on the vault and floor, particularly against Burlington, whom they hosted on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at the Saugus YMCA Gymnastics Center. Melrose performed their best routines of the year against the Red Devils, outscoring them in 2-4 events and tying one. To begin the meet Burlington in Melrose were evenly matched on the beam drawing 34.2 each, but Burlington took the edge in the bars, 31.9 to 30.7, giving Melrose their first threat of the season as they headed into their final routines. But fortunately they had some top rate performances ahead.

First came vault and Melrose quite simply brought it. Behind the legs of Izzy Albuja, Tania Dutra, Shay Fennell, Brooke Norris, Lauren Cincotta and Izzy Judware, Melrose compiled one of their highest point totals in recent memory. “Their vaults were amazing. They were just right on,” says coach Valdez. “We have three girls that ‘tsuk.’ This vault has a higher start value than the others. Brooke [Norris] and Lauren [Cincotta] start from a 9.6 and Izzy [Judware] starts from a 9.8 because her vault is in the pike position, which is more difficult.” Isabel Judware stunned the competition with a 9.3, the best of the night, followed by teammates Lauren Cincotta (9.15) and Brooke Norris (9.1). Shay Fannell also knocked out Burlington with an 8.8, while Tania Dutra (8.6) and Izzy Albuja (7.8) kept Melrose well ahead of Burlington 36.35-33.55, making up points to keep the meet even.

The floor exercise proved to be a battle of the best, with both Melrose and Burlington bringing top scorers to the floor. Sure enough Burlington’s Caitlin Atwood hit the highest score with a 9.0 but a power wall of floor performers for Melrose paved the way for a win, with Izzy Judware hitting an 8.9, Shay Fannell earning 8.8 and teammates Izzy Aljuba (8.4) Mya Marshall (8.3), Brooke Norris (8.3), Audrey McFarland (8.3) sealing the deal to top the Red Devils.

Melrose also scored nicely in the beam. “The beam is looking good also. They are staying on the beam to start. We have added some difficulty to each girl’s routine giving them some bonus.”

To date this season, there hasn’t been just one gymnast earning high numbers, it’s been a collective effort. Some of Melrose’s finest performances have come from Izzy Judware, who has hit 9.3 in vault, 8.9 in floor; Audrey McFarland, who earned a 8.95 in beam, Tania Dutra (9.0 in beam), Lauren Cincotta (9.15) and Brooke Norris (9.1)in vault and Shay Fannell in a number of events (9.0 beam, 8.8 vault, 8.8 floor)

“Shay is doing great. She is only a freshman and is working hard,” says her coach. “Izzy has come with such determination. She is a great role model for the team.” Overall, Melrose can’t do wrong with their group of tumblers. “The team as a whole is great,” says Valdez. “They all work hard and I couldn’t be more proud!”

Melrose’s final home meet of the season is this Friday night against Reading at the Saugus YMCA Gymnastic Center at 7:30 p.m.

Remaining schedule

Tuesday, 01/27 7 p.m. @ Arlington High School

Thursday, 01/29 4:30 p.m. @ Woburn High School

Tuesday, 02/03 7 p.m. @ Winchester High School