Arlington edges Melrose by narrow margin

Published February 12, 2021

By JENNIFER GENTILE

SAUGUS—The Melrose High gymnastics team suffered a very narrow loss against Arlington on Saturday, Feb. 6 at the YMCA Metro North in Saugus by a score of 130.35-129.65. Melrose has two meets remaining on the schedule, Burlington and Wakefield, whom they will compete against in back-to-back meets this weekend. 

THE MELROSE Red Raider gymnastics team fell narrowly to Arlington last week. Pictured on beam is senior captain Olivia Hitchman. (Jennifer Gentile photo)

It was a nail-biter between the two teams and Melrose had an early edge when they took vault, 33.7-32.35 behind the work of Meghan Radzik (7.9) Brooke Heidebrecht (8.15) Sofia Pitcher (8.4) Taylor Pesce (8.4) Lucy Hannon (8.5) and Katherine Carney (8.4). 

Melrose also took the bar event by the narrowest of scores, 31.9-31.15, thanks to the efforts of Jordan Tobin, Sofia Pitcher, Raessler Guthrie, Katherine Carney, Brooke Heidebrecht and Lucy Hannon. Earning Melrose’s top score was Heidebrecht who had an event-high 8.15, followed by Guthrie at 8.1. 

Melrose fell in the balance beam event by a score of 32.9-31.8. Representing Melrose was Alison Doherty, Raessler Guthrie, Olivia Hitchman, Grace Gentile and Lucy Hannon. Hannon was Melrose’s highest scorer at 8.25 followed by Grace Gentile at 8.0. 

Melrose still had a 97.4-96.4 lead going into the floor. But Arlington came from behind with a 33.95 total and solid high 8.0’s to narrowly edge Melrose overall. The Red Raiders sent to the mat Raessler Guthrie, Sofia Pitcher, Brooke Heidebrecht, Taylor Pesce, Katherine Carney and Lucy Hannon. Earning Melrose’s top score was Lucy Hannon at 8.15 and Taylor Pesce at 8.1.  

Melrose will need to step it up if they want to challenge both Wakefield and Burlington. The Warriors are 3-1 and feature standout all-around Lola Barrett. The Red Devils have shocked most of the Middlesex League with an undefeated 5-0 record, having beaten strong teams such as Wakefield and Reading this season.   

The Red Raiders will travel to Wakefield High on Saturday morning to battle the Warriors and will host Burlington in the season finale on Sunday at noon at the YMCA Metro North in Saugus. Fans can tune in live at https://www.youtube.com/c/MHSGymnasticsVideo and later enjoy an edited and combined-footage viewing at that same channel.