Vikings stun Bishop Ahr

Emotional victory ends Trojans streak

By Rich Fisher, Sports Editor
   What started as a dismal day, ended as one of the greatest days in South Brunswick High School gymnastics history.
   Simply stated, it was the biggest win in SBHS gymnastics history.
   And, when you put it in historical perspective, one of the biggest wins of any sport in SBHS history.
   After years of being good, but not good enough, the Vikings finally did the unthinkable Tuesday by taking a 111.175 to 109.55 victory over Bishop Ahr on Tuesday.
   The triumph snapped the Trojans 64-meet win streak that went all the way back to 2001, and it gave the Vikings an 8-0 record and the Greater Middlesex Conference regular-season championship.
   It also gives the Vikes a ton of confidence heading into next week’s GMC Meet as they not only won, but won with over a point to spare. And it’s no fluke, as South Brunswick has thrown a scare into Bishop Ahr over the past few seasons as it slowly has closed the gap.
   And the effort came on the same day when coach Mindy Verderami’s squad learned that its top gymnast, Marisa Liptak, would be lost for the season with a foot injury. The likable senior had returned to compete on bars last week and appeared ready to go, but then got the bad news on Tuesday.
   But the Vikings turned what could have been a bummer into a day to remember thanks to freshman Lindsay Carbone and juniors Jessica Macay and Shannon Martin.
   Carbone won all-around in 37.525, taking first on bars (9.35) and beam (9.55), second on vault (9.325) and third on floor (9.3). Macay came up with a clutch victory on floor at 9.5 to seal the deal, and also was second on beam (9.225) and third on bars (9.175). Martin had a third on beam (9.2).
   The victory a tribute to the gymnasts themselves, past and present coaches — especially Verderami, who coaches the girls at Crossroads — and to the clubs who train them.
   The only down side is the loss of the bubbly Liptak, whose high school career has come to unfortunate end after giving the Vikings so many great moments during her first three years.
   But barring any other unforeseen injuries or drawbacks, South Brunswick has stamped itself as a legitimate challenger for a state championship, which Bishop Ahr has won the past five years.
   Can the Trojans rebound at GMC’s and states?
   Of course.
   But they know the Vikings are a major, major threat, now more than ever.