By: Rich Fisher
While young guns such as Shannon Martin and Marisa Liptak continue to play a huge role in South Brunswick High’s successful gymnastics season, an old reliable has returned to provide a necessary stability for the Vikings.
Senior Ellise Kaplowitz, who qualified for the states as an individual in each of her first two years with the Vikings, has recovered from foot surgery she had to undergo last year, which pretty much wiped out her junior season. Kaplowitz has shown little signs of rust, as she has qualified for the state sectionals in all-around and, equally important, has helped lead a young team to a 6-1 record.
"I’ve always said with her, she kind of carries the team," coach Erika Casey said. "Even last year, when she was injured, a lot of the girls looked up to her for help. And her sophomore year she was one of our top girls. She kind of carried the team to sectionals that one year.
"This year she’s back to being healthy. It’s good for her because she’s very strong and a very strong minded girl. It’s kind of important that she’s in a good mood and girls around her in a good mood. When she’s injured, the whole energy kind of goes away from her and than it follows through with other people."
Casey admitted that there was some concern about Kaplowitz at the season’s outset, as there would be with anyone coming off an injury.
"You’re not really sure if it’s still bad is or if it’s better, sometimes it can go either way," the coach said. "For right now, it’s pretty healthy. She’s taking care of it as much as she can."
In Tuesday’s 105.5 to 93.375 victory at East Brunswick, Kaplowitz won the beam with an 8.975, took third on bars (8.775) and scored an 8.5 on vault.
"She didn’t have any falls on beam," Casey said. "She did have a couple balance checks, but all her skills are on. We have to get those little bobbles out of the way and she could get over a nine."
Other scores against East Brunswick were as follows:
Vault: 1st, Martin, 9.05, 2nd, Sarah Caputo, 8.75, Becca Castagnola, 8.35, Michelle Davies, 8.05.
Bars: 1st, Martin, 9.1, 2nd, Liptak 9.05, Rebekah Clavin, 7.575, Arielle Lopez 4.225.
Beam: Kaplowitz 8.975, 2nd, Liptak 8.725, 3rd, Martin, 8.175, Chelsea Reilly, 8.15, Chrissy Saragnese 7.8.
Floor: 1st, Caputo, 8.95, 2nd, Martin 8.7, 3rd, Bondi 8.3, 4th, Amanda Klein, 7.925, Meghan Baguchinsky , 7.85.
Casey was happy with Caputo’s effort in the meet.
"Sarah hasn’t competed much on floor for us, she goes out on a non-spring floor and gets an 8.95 competing for us the first time this season," the coach said. "She didn’t have a routine, we randomly picked her music and tried it for the first time in competition. That gives her one qualifying score, and we’re hoping to get another one (today), along with beam. She’s already qualified for vault and bars."
The Vikings are home today(Thursday) against Ridge, visit Hunterdon Central Tuesday then gear up to host the Greater Middlesex Conference next Thursday.

