THE MHS gymnastics team is 2-0 after back-to-back wins over Winchester and Woburn. (Jennifer Gentile photo)
Beat Winchester by a whisker, 129.4-128
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—At long last the MHS gymnastics team kicked off their 2023 campaign and in the finest fashion: a 129.4-128 win over rival Winchester on Friday, Jan. 6 at the Saugus YMCA.
It was a complete group effort as all the gymnastics had their hand in events, including their first one: the vault, which is proving to be their best. Two of the team members scored in the 9.0s. Bella Ferranti earned a 9.0 on her routine followed by Owen Mistretta with a 9.1. While Winchester had some solid high 8.0’s, it wouldn’t top Melrose work by Ella Ugino, Noah Williamson, Abigail Dennison, Grace Burke, Isabella Ferranti and Owen Mistretta.
While Melrose scored fairly low on bars, they still look the event from the Red and Black, beating them 30.4-29.9, behind the work of Ella Ugino, Sumin Kang, Abigail Dennison, Katelyn Plourde, Isabella Ferranti and Grace Burke.
SENIOR CAPT. Grace Burke is among those who are competing all-around for the MHS gymnastics team. (Jennifer Gentile photo)
The next two events proved interesting, though Melrose fell to Winchester by the smallest of margins in beam and floor, they still prevailed over the night. Those representing Melrose on beam were Maya Weissman, Sumin Kang, Grace Gentile, Katelyn Plourde, Grace Burke and Isabella Ferranti, with Plourde leading the group in scores. Melrose was edged 31.95-31.8. Melrose held a good lead of 97.1-95.6 going into the final event.
On floor Melrose was edged ever so slightly, 32.3-32.4 thanks to a couple of spills on the floor, but ultimately their team of Noah Williamson, Sumin Kang, Graace Gentile, Katelyn Plourde, Grace Burke and Isabella Ferranti got the job done, with Ferranti and Plourde leading the score. Thanks in part to their previous strong vault effort, Melrose held on the lead to start their season 1-0.
