School-record team score gives Vikes second place

By Rich Fisher, Sports Editor
   There could have been some slight disappointment, but there was none.
   Nor, should there have been.
   A week after ending Bishop Ahr’s 64-meet win streak, the South Brunswick High gymnastics team was trying to wrest the Greater Middlesex Conference title from the Trojans in last week’s championship meet at South Brunswick High.
   The Vikings gave it their best shot with a school record 111.9 points, but the state’s third best score of the high school season beat them as the proud and talented Trojans amassed a 113.35 to win their seventh consecutive GMCT title.
   South Brunswick got a big-time consolation prize, as Jess Macay won all-around with a score of 37.850.
   Despite slipping back behind Bishop Ahr, the Vikings were hardly hanging their heads after a glittering performance.
   ”The girls were very excited with their high score,” coach Mindy Verderami said. “They were not disappointed at all.
   ”Beating Bishop Ahr during our dual meet was a taste of the greatness that is going to continue to come for this program. They always knew they could compete with them, but now have proven that they are a team that is on top. If we won GMCs, that would have just been double the icing, but it was a fair meet, everyone did well.”
   Verderami felt it was just a case of the state’s best program showing it’s not going down easily.
   ”Bishop Ahr brought it,” she said. “They came ready to defend their title and their program.
   ”However, our girls were proud of themselves because we didn’t make any silly mistakes. We performed well and put the scoring in the judge’s hands. They have been doing that all season, and that is all I can ask.”
   Aside from Macay, big performances came from freshman Lindsay Carbone and junior Shannon Martin, who gave SBHS three of the meet’s top four all around performers. Carbone won beam in 9.725 and was third in AA (37.25), while Martin took fourth in AA (36.8). It was Carbone’s fourth meet with a 9.7 or higher on beam.
   ”That is huge for a freshman to pull off,” Verderami said. “Lindsay continues to be consistent. I never leave a meet without another coach or judge commenting how much they enjoy watching Lindsay on beam. She is a pleasure to coach, and I consider myself very fortunate to have coached her in middle school for two years, and hopefully for another three years in high school.
   ”It is really awesome that last year we had a one-two finish on beam at GMC’s with Marisa Liptak and Jess, and now we are 1-2 on floor with Lindsay’s amazing floor routine following Jess’s.”
   Martin finished fourth thanks to a consistency that earned her sixth on vault and beam, and seventh on bars and floor.
   ”Shannon Martin has been absolutely amazing this season,” Verderami said. “She has picked it up in all four events, posting higher scores on every event from last year. She has pulled through for us in all-around at all of our big meets, without any complaints.
   ”I really appreciate her effort and determination at the meets, especially at GMCs. She has really dedicated herself to this team, wanting to do well for them, so we can continue to be a force to reckon with.”
   Despite gymnastics being an individual sport, Martin loves the team concept.
   ”She’s always asking me “How we are doing, do you think we have a chance?’” Verderami said. “She is always concerned for herself and her teammates, wanting to be the best. That is a great quality to have and it is going to take her far.”
   The Vikings also got big efforts from their younger gymnasts as the future continues to look limitless for South Brunswick.
   ”Dana Vasers, Caitlyn Borghi and Jenna Mayfield continue to pull through for us on beam,” Verderami said. “Rebekah Clavin is doing the same on vault, and Amanda Klein on floor. I have been counting on them and they continue to exceed my expectations on their particular events of expertise.
   ”Overall, it was an exciting week for us. No silly mistakes, and that is the most important thing to me.”
   In essence, the Vikings made Bishop Ahr earn what it got.
   ”We did not give away the GMC trophy, Bishop Ahr had to work for it, as well as Hillsborough had to work for their win (last Friday). It is a great feeling knowing that the other teams have to prepare extra hard when South Brunswick gymnastics is competing against them.”
   Good luck to any teams that don’t prepare, because the Vikings will make them pay.