Published January 8, 2020
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
DANVERS — Last season, the North Reading-Danvers High co-op gymnastics team went 5-1 as they came in second place in the NEC-CAL to Masconomet, who won the state title.
In the North Sectionals, the Falcons came in ninth place out of 12 schools.
Three seniors from that squad graduated but fifth-year head coach Jen Habeeb did return eight veterans when practice started in early December.
The captain is senior Jess Mandri who is from Danvers.
The three juniors back are Megan MacNeil (North Reading), Ashley Rabbitt (North Reading) and Aria Serino (Danvers).
Allie Taylor (North Reading), Lexi Hnatowicz (Danvers), Kaitlin Lennox (Danvers), and Emily Tobin (Danvers) are the four 10th-graders back.
THE WAKEFIELD HIGH 2020 gymnastics team started their season with a victory over rival Melrose on Friday night. The Warriors went 7-1 last year, set a program record for best scoring average, took second at the league meet and 6th at North Sectionals. (Courtesy Photo)
New members on the team is sophomore Haley LaChance and she is from Danvers.
“The girls have been working really hard,” said Habeeb, about how the December training has gone. “We normally don’t have any meets before New Year’s.”
Just like last winter, the Falcons will have six meets and, also like last year, Masconomet will be the team to beat again as they return most of their team.
“Our goal is to be able to qualify for the sectionals,” said Habeeb.
The Falcons open the season on Jan. 11 as they will host a tri-meet at Yellow Jackets in Middleton. They will take on Masconomet and Essex Tech and that event will start at 6:30 p.m.
North Reading-Danvers next meet will be on Jan 16 as they take on host Beverly at the Beverly YMCA. Start time for that meet is also at 6:30 p.m.
