South Brunswick gives Verderami her first win

By: Rich Fisher
   When the Pioneer Classic takes place at Somerville High School Saturday, the South Brunswick High gymnastics team will have an intimidating presence leading the way.
   Afterall, Mindy Verderami can show up boasting an undefeated career record.
   With Erika Casey taking the rest of the season off due to the impending arrival of her baby, assistant coach Verderami has been elevated to big cheese status. Her high school debut as a head coach was a successful one, as the Vikings rolled to a 71.2 to 43.025 victory over Piscataway Monday.
   The meet did not include the vault because the required matting around the equipment has not yet arrived at SBHS, and new high school rules state it must laid out in order for teams to compete.
   It would not have made a difference in the outcome as the Vikings easily rolled up big scores to give Verderami a 1-0 lifetime record at the high school level. The coach said she felt at ease during the meet, since she served as the Crossroads coach last year.
   "It felt the same as always," Verderami said. "It’s basically the same thing as it was at Crossroads, except you only compete five per event as opposed to eight. There are more fundamentals and logistics to pay attention to, but things went well."
   The best news was, despite the fact one event was not held, the Vikings were able to give every gymnast a chance in at least one event.
   "I was thrilled about that," Verderami said. "It’s a luxury having small numbers. I only have 13 on the team, so it opens up more opportunities for others to compete.
   "I know I won’t be able to compete everybody in every meet, but in the first meet I wanted to give everybody a chance, so they got to see what they have to work on."
   The most pleasant surprise came from freshmen Tori Kubick, Adrienne Greco and Dana Vassers, who all competed in the floor. First place was a tie with between Viking sophomore Amanda Klein and Kubick, who both had a 7.55, and Greco took third with a 7.375.
   "The three freshmen did phenomenal," Verderami said. "Coming from middle school to high school, the judging is a lot harder, and they did a fantastic job.
   "They all displayed skills they didn’t have at Crossroads that they have now. They did it all themselves. Over the summer they took the initiative to up their skills, and it was a great surprise."
   Especially considering that none of the three are club gymnasts. Kubick and Greco are both dancers and Vassers competes in JOGA for Middlesex, which is not as intense as club.
   What was not a surprise, was the effort of the old reliables. Junior Marisa Liptak won bars (9.1) and beam (8.175), while sophomores Shannon Martin (8.175 bars) and Jess Macay (8.425 beam) both took second. Rebekah Clavin was third on bars (6.15) and Chelsea Reilly was third on beam (7.55).
   "I was happy with the overall performance, they did a fantastic job," Verderami said. "They had mistakes here and there, but based on their talent, they’re going to be capable of fixing those mistakes."
   Verderami feels that this year’s team, which has less numbers, still has enough talent to break the school record for high score in a meet. The Vikings repeatedly broke the mark last season.
   "They have same potential as they did last year and they’re going to continue to grow," she said. "We have three returning state qualifiers on top of the freshmen and sophomores, plus our two seniors. I think we have a great chance of breaking the school record again, as well as placing high, if not winning the (Greater Middlesex Conference meet)."
   An indicator of where the Vikings stand with some of the state’s better teams will be at the Pioneer Classic, which features the dynasty that is Bishop Ahr, along with Central Jersey powers Hillsborough, Somerville and South Plainfield.
   "That’s going to be a test meet, not only for us, but for everybody," Verderami said. "It’s only the second meet for all the schools, we’re all trying to work out the kinks. But, we’re looking to be right up there again with Bishop Ahr and Hillsborough."
   "I’m very excited for these kids because they really are working hard. They’re going to reap the benefits of what they’re putting in at practice."
   With that in mind, maybe that perfect record will stay intact a while longer.