Published in the March 2, 2018 edition

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Lady Raider gymnastics team shined at the MIAA North Sectionals held on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Algonquin Regional High School. Melrose placed 7th among all qualifying north teams, behind winner Reading, who advanced to States with an overall score of 143.725. Melrose scored 132.86 total points and saw a team-best showing from sophomore Katie Wright, who placed fourth all around with an individual total of 35.7 points, including a 9.15 in vault. 

Wright led Melrose with scores of 8.6 in beam, 8.9 in bars and 9.05 in floor, which placed her above nearly all Middlesex League opponents. “Katie is an amazing competitor and just an incredible fighter,” said Melrose head coach Denise Valdez. “Her beam was beautiful and she landed a pike tsuk vault. It was another consistent day for her.”

MELROSE’S KATIE Wright placed an impressive 4th all-around at the MIAA North Sectionals. (Donna Larsson photo)

Competition was tough throughout the day, with standout teams such as Masconomet and Dracut living up to their name, while upstart Wakefield should keep Melrose on their toes next season, finishing right behind the Lady Raiders in 8th.

Melrose started the day on beam, showing a little rust. “There were some nerves I think,” says Valdez. “We didn’t start so great, a few struggled on beam and just a few [Wright and Shay Fennell] stayed on it. But we determined that we couldn’t change that and simply had to come back strong in our next three events.” 

Highlights in those events include Ciara Smith (18th overall) who scored well in beam (8.4) and floor (8.850), floor performances by Izzy Albuja and Shay Fennell (8.2 in each) along with Gabrielle Prodgers in the event (8.175), a solid vault from Nicole Nzui and a postseason freshmen debut by Brooke Heidebrecht. Another Brooke, veteran Brooke Barriss did her coach proud with a comeback that included a 9.0 vault. 

“I was so proud of Brooke,” said Valdez of the junior. “She was returning from an injury and had every reason to hesitate on vault and she just nailed it.”

And while Melrose didn’t take home a league title (there was little stopping Reading this year) the team gave coach Valdez plenty of reasons to smile. 

“We definitely have things to work on in the off season, like floor, which is usually our strongest event, but we came in seeded third behind Reading in all of the North and that shows how much work this team has done over the season. I wouldn’t change a thing. I love these girls and am very proud of them.”