7-0 Lady Raiders defeat unbeaten Sachems for league title
Published in the February 5, 2016 edition
THE 2016 Middlesex League Champion Melrose High gymnastic team finished a perfect season at Tuesday’s league meet after taking down unbeaten Winchester 138.1-137.4 for their 6th league title in 7 years. (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — For the sixth time in seven years the Melrose High School girls’ gymnastic team is league champion.
In a gripping finale, Melrose edged unbeaten Winchester 138.1-137.4 in front of a large crowd at the MetroNorth YMCA Gymnastic Center in Saugus on Tuesday night to reclaim their Middlesex League title.
“I am so proud of each and every one of those girls,” said Melrose head coach Denise Valdez. “They wanted it so bad.”
The night was not without suspense as Melrose and Winchester battled the floor routine to finish the night. Winchester came equipped with a powerhouse gymnast in Jordan Miranda, who performed near flawless routines (9.4 bars, 9.4 beam, 9.35 floor, 9.1 vault) and Melrose countered with their own juggernaut in Shay Fennell, their four-event, top scorer who can tip a meet in Melrose’s direction.
Fennell was closing the night out on her floor routine, the last up, and all eyes were on the sophomore. Her first tumbling pass went wrong and the athlete landed hard, in visible pain, unable to complete her performance. It remained unclear if Melrose could still take a victory, until officials released scores and the Melrose celebration began. Winchester took the floor event with a 34.95, to Melrose’s 34.4, but fortunately Melrose floor performers brought it, including Brooke Norris, Sophie Duff, Anna Pecci and Izzy Albuja, tallying enough points to maintain pace.
According to Melrose coach Denise Valdez, initial examinations didn’t show signs of major injury to Fennell’s leg and the sophomore was eventually able to walk off the mat with assistance.
Senior Brooke Norris had the floor routine of her career with a 9.05 top score. It was performed just before Fennell’s injury. “Thank goodness for Brooke,” says Valdez. “That was her best floor routine ever and she really saved us.”
Keeping Melrose high in scoring were also Anna Pecci (8.6), Sophie Duff (8.45) and Izzy Albuja (8.3). Melrose’s best event was the vault, which set the tone and gave them a 35-34 edge after one event. Lauren Cincotta earned the best mark with a 9.1 joined by Brooke Norris (8.9), Tania Dutra (8.8) and Brooke Barriss (8.6). Melrose was edged by the Sachems in beam, thanks to Jordan Miranda’s 9.4, but Melrose’s Tania Dutra (8.85) and Anna Pecci (8.65) helped Melrose along along with Shay Fennell and Stephanie Dutra. Melrose however edged Winchester in bars thanks to a top Melrose score from Tania Dutra, followed by Shay Fennell, Brooke Barriss and Izzy Albuja.
Overall, it was a genuine collective effort by the hard-working Melrose squad who proved that depth always makes the difference in competition.
Says their proud coach, “They walked into the gym with such determination and confidence. It was amazing.”
