Impressive balance on beam leads way
By: Rudy Brandl
MONTGOMERY Balance has been one of the trademarks of the Hillsborough High gymnastics team throughout its proud history. The Raiders have won many championships over the years without a superstar or all-around winner.
That balance was on display in more ways than one in Saturday’s Somerset County Championships at Montgomery. While the Raiders displayed their usual balance in the scoring department, they showcased it in the literal sense on the beam.
Donning brand-new leotards for the first time, all five HHS gymnasts nailed their routines and scored over 9.0 in the event, which propelled the team to a season-high 110.225 score and the county team title. The Raiders boasted five of the top six finishers on the beam, an astounding feat for any team in any meet.
"All five girls stuck their routines," said Hillsborough sophomore Christina Rhoades, who won the county beam title with a 9.35 score and finished second in the all-around (37.15). "That’s very big. That’s very hard to do."
Rhoades had four teammates join her during the post-meet trophy presentation. Freshman Jess Leinbach (2nd, 9.3), senior Kristen Shaw (3rd, 9.25), junior Laura Lysyj (5th, 9.05) and junior Mary-Kate Lynch (6th, 9.025) came through with solid routines. Lysyj hit a career-best beam score and Leinbach tied her previous high mark in the event.
"When you have your first girl go up and get a 9, you can relax a little," HHS head coach Beth Murrin said. "It makes it easier for everyone else."
The balance beam was only part of what made this a great day for Hillsborough. Sophomore standout Chrissy Weber returned to action and won the county uneven bars title with a 9.525 score. Weber has been hampered by a back injury but showed she’s still capable of posting big scores. The Raiders will need Weber in the stretch run of the season.
Shaw and fellow senior Leah Goldberg, two other gymnasts recovering from injury, made nice contributions Saturday. Shaw posted a new personal record in the floor exercise (9.275) and finished fifth, while Goldberg scored 8.725 on bars.
Rhoades led the Raiders and came close to winning the county all-around championship. Somerville’s Jillian Hart, who won the vault and floor routines, scored 37.45 to edge Rhoades by 0.3. Rhoades finished in the top four in every event, including the beam title and a second place on vault (9.35).
"My vault is new this year," said Rhoades, who attempts the difficult Yurchenko pike in competition. "It’s the hardest skill you can do in high school rules. It’s very hard to hit that position. I didn’t hit it perfectly today, but it was one of my best."
Lynch had a few minor glitches but still posted a fine 36.025 score to finish fifth all-around. A three-year member of this outstanding team, Lynch was happy to be a part of some new history. This was the first Somerset County gymnastics meet since 1992.
"It’s really exciting," Lynch said. "This is a new meet for us, but we knew we had a good shot at it. It was a little different format and it was good for the team."
The Raiders went about their business relaxed and confident. They were the heavy favorites and lived up to that status. Hillsborough outscored runner-up Montgomery by over four points.
"I wanted to score a 110 today," Murrin said. "I thought we could do it with this lineup. This was definitely a good team experience."
The Raiders showed what they could do with everyone back in the lineup. They must continue to get healthy in time for the bigger events in the second half of the season.
"People who were injured are coming back," Lynch said. "Chrissy came back today and helped us on bars. People are getting cleaner with their routines and skills."
The Raiders were scheduled to compete in a huge tri-meet with Watchung Hills at Hunterdon Central Wednesday. Central has posted scores in the same range as Hillsborough this season, so the Raiders need to be on their game.
"I’m hoping to bring in a couple of big scores before the end of the season," Murrin said. "We’re definitely working toward those meets."

