Lady Raiders cruising along at 2-1
Published in the January 26, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose Lady Raider gymnastics team earned their second straight win with a 138.65-121.5 victory over Woburn on Friday, Jan. 19. Melrose swept all four events to help them remain 2-1 on the season.
CIARA SMITH’S balance beam routine earned a 9.0 for the Melrose High gymnastics team, who prevailed over Woburn last week. (Donna Larsson photo)
Melrose head coach Denise Valdez credited her team for their performance. “They were so focused the entire night. They knew what they had to do and did their job,” she said after the win.
Melrose started the meet with Nia Kovacev, Mya Marshall, Nicole Nzui, Ciara Smith, Brooke Barrriss and Katie Wright on the vault. Katie Wright led in scoring with a 9.0 while Brooke Barriss also impressed at 8.95. Smith and Nzui also helped Melrose earn 34.95 over Woburn’s 32.25.
On bars, Melrose saw gymnasts Izzy Albuja, Shay Fennell, Brooke Barriss, Jane Harrington, Ciara Smith and Katie Wright compete, with Wright topping the pack, 9.0. Smith led a strong balance team with a 9.0 and that was followed by Katie Wright (8.8) Mya Marshall and Shay Fennell.
Melrose held a 103.45-88.75 lead going into the final event of the evening, with Caroline Fogarty starting things off on the floor with a 8.0 routine. Melrose showed strength in the event with Olivia Bernis (8.2) Izzy Albuja (8.65) scoring well. Two of the team’s underclassmen brought down the house: Ciara Smith scored a 8.95 and Katie Wright wowed with a 9.4.
This Friday, Melrose looks to pick up their third win against Arlington, who they host at 7:30 p.m. at the YMCA Metrowest Gymnastics Center.
