Rhoades takes beam, vault titles
by Rudy Brandl, Sports Editor
The Hillsborough High gymnasts captured the Skyland Conference team championship Saturday at Somerville.
HHS junior Christina Rhoades won individual titles on the balance beam (state-leading 9.825) and vault (9.65) en route to a second place finish in the all-around (37.525). Mary-Kate Lynch posted big marks (9.625) on vault and floor for the conference champs.
The Raiders avenged a regular season loss to conference rival Hunterdon Central, scoring 111.85 points to win a close meet. Central won the Skyland event last October, so the Raiders also enjoyed a small measure of revenge in that department.
“It’s nice to win a trophy, but this is just for today,” Raider head coach Beth Murrin said with an eye toward next weekend’s Central 2 Sectional Championships. “I’m really happy with how they competed.”
Hillsborough will go back to work to sharpen its skills in preparation for Saturday’s sectional meet. The Raiders had difficulty on the uneven bars in the final rotation but their outstanding marks on the first three events carried them to the crown.
For complete coverage of all the Hillsborough High sports action, see Thursday’s Hillsborough Beacon.