Yates, Van Cleef, Miller lead balanced assault
By: Rudy Brandl
Hillsborough High’s talented gymnasts sent a little message to the rest of the state in Saturday’s Pioneer Invitational at Somerville High.
The Raiders, who finished seventh at the NJSIAA Championships as a first-year program last fall, are determined to improve in their second season on the high school circuit. There will be no sophomore jinx for his unit. The HHS girls proved it by capturing the team title in their first competition of the 2000 season.
While first-year head Coach Beth Murrin has inherited a fabulous group of athletes, she’s also aware of the pressure associated with measuring up to last year.
"It’s nice to have a strong, healthy team that has depth," said Murrin, 22, who teaches special education at the middle school. "I’m a little nervous because they’re expected to step up from last year. We definitely want to do better than last year."
The Raiders certainly had a sensational start, but Murrin warned that it wasn’t a perfect day. After dominating the first three events, the Raiders faltered on the balance beam. Nevertheless, the HHS girls had accumulated enough points (106.675) to defeat rivals Hunterdon Central and two-time defending champ Somerville.
"It’s a great start, but there’s still room for improvement," said Murrin, who competed at Haddon Township High and The Gymnastics Academy of Cherry Hill. "We know where we have to improve, but it’s very exciting to start with such a great day."
Hillsborough used superior depth and balance to win the team title. Much like a cross country team that packs several runners together to gain an edge in the scoring, the Raiders placed three of the top seven gymnasts to win despite the lack of an individual champ in any single event or the all-around.
"Our depth is our strength," Murrin said. "We’re going to finish three of four near the top of every meet. It’s a great situation because it doesn’t all fall on one person."
Junior Kim Yates led the Raiders, finishing third in the all-around with a 35.9 cumulative score. Yates was superb on floor (9.3), bars (9.3) and vault (9.1) but joined her teammates in struggling on beam (8.2).
Freshman phenom Marissa Van Cleef shined in her first high school competition. Van Cleef, who won state titles in Levels 7 and 8 the past two years, finished fifth in Saturday’s all-around (35.45). Van Cleef’s 9.25 vault led the Raiders. She also scored 9.275 on bars and 8.925 on floor.
Junior Ashley Miller wasn’t far behind in seventh all-around (34.975). Miller scored well on vault (9.05) and floor (9.025) but can certainly improve on beam (8.7) and bars (8.2).
Jenny Agopsowicz, one of three seniors on this year’s squad, finished 11th all-around (33.475) but came up with one clutch effort on the balance beam. While the rest of the Raiders couldn’t come close to a 9.0, Agopsowicz posted a 9.35 to give her team a huge lift.
The rest of Hillsborough’s nine-girl roster includes seniors Courtney Giacopelli and Heather Walton, junior Kristin Poltarak, sophomore Allison Logatto and freshman Kyra Lysyj. Walton and Logatto are back from last year’s team, which graduated only one gymnast. Giacopelli and Poltarak are first-year competitors and Lysyj enters the high school with considerable club experience.
"Our depth will help because we’ll still have a full team if there’s an injury," Murrin explained. "We have a little space to breathe this year. Last year, they had to compete even though they had aches and pains because there wasn’t any room for error."
Murrin will most likely use Yates, Miller and Van Cleef in all events, while Agopsowicz will do everything but vault. Poltarak is a powerful vaulter who’s also good on floor, while the consistent Lysyj will help cover the beam and bars. Walton will provide even more depth when she returns from a back injury.
Last Thursday’s regular season opener at Union was postponed, leaving the Raiders with this week’s home opener vs. Bridgewater. Hillsborough will compete in its home gym for the first time this year.