HHS GYMNASTICS PREVIEW
By: Rudy Brandl
The Hillsborough High gymnastics team is healthy and raring to go.
That’s the best news for a group of girls that endured an injury plagued season last fall. Despite all the bumps and bruises, the Raiders finished third in the state at the NJSIAA Championships last November.
Now that they’re healthy, could this be the year the HHS girls win it all? Veteran head coach Beth Murrin didn’t want to look that far ahead. She’s just happy her team is starting off with a clean bill of health.
"Everyone’s feeling good and we’re trying to keep them feeling good," Murrin said. "We want to make sure we find a good balance. We want to keep everyone as healthy as we can. In gymnastics, feeling good is really important. They can push themselves to the limit."
Senior Mary-Kate Lynch is coming off elbow surgery and expects to be an all-around contributor by October. Last year, Lynch showed toughness and grit fighting through injuries. She was released to train in early August and is starting the season competing on floor and beam.
"She’s definitely back on floor and beam and those are her strongest events," Murrin said. "She’s definitely looking strong."
Junior Chrissy Weber spent most of last season battling back injuries and was confined to bars and vault. She took some time off from gymnastics to recover and it’s made a huge difference. Weber is primed for a big season as one of the team’s top all-arounders.
"She took a couple of months off and that’s paying off," Murrin said. "She’s feeling good and ready to go."
With several top-notch teammates battling injuries, Christina Rhoades stepped up and became the team’s rock last fall. Rhoades enjoyed a huge breakthrough season and is back for her junior campaign looking strong again.
Rhoades led the Raiders in all the big meets and finished 12th all-around in the state. She was consistent, dependable and versatile, posting big numbers in all four events.
"She was great last year," Murrin said. "She learned a lot last year. She really matured because she was the last one healthy. It was a real confidence booster for her. She and Chrissy are going to lead us as all-arounders this year."
The Raiders also welcome back sophomore Jess Leinbach, an all-around gymnast who will make her biggest contributions on beam and floor. Other returning letter winners include seniors Nicole Cicero (floor, bars), Laura Lysyj (beam), Jaclyn Marangella and Shannon Melick, juniors Megan Goldschmidt (vault) and Kayla Lotierzo and sophomores Erica Reiss (bars, vault) and Alyssa Russo.
Murrin is also expecting contributions from sophomore Robyn Roundtree and freshmen Amanda Curry and Brittany Marcsisin. Roundtree, a cheerleader last year, adds depth to the vault team. Curry has very good skills and should contribute on bars and beam.
Marcsisin will be a gymnast to watch in the future. She’s very talented on bars and finished second all-around for the Raiders in last Friday’s opening meet at Bridgewater-Raritan.
The Raiders scored 108.7 points to defeat Bridgewater and Montgomery. That number was a school record for an opening meet, a reflection of a healthier, deeper squad.
"We’re so much farther along skill-wise and the depth is better this year," Murrin said.
The HHS girls are looking forward to Saturday’s Pioneer Invitational at Somerville. The annual meet attracts some elite competition, most notably three-time defending state champ Bishop Ahr.
"We match their depth and skill level pretty well right now," Murrin said. "We’re excited about getting out there against the best."
The Raiders once again will compete for regular season titles in both the South Jersey League and Skyland Conference. This year, however, dual meets will count toward both leagues, so there won’t be as many regular season events.
The HHS girls are the defending Somerset County and Skyland Conference regular season champions. They’re poised to produce even more this fall.
"They’re just healthier this year," Murrin said. "They’ve worked for another year and they’ve got more skills. They’re at that point now."