By Rich Fisher, Sports Editor
One in the Top 10, two in the Top 20 and three in the Top 25 told the individual tale for the South Brunswick High gymnastics team.
And six was the key number for the team itself.
That’s where the Vikings finished in last weekend’s NJSIAA State Championship Meet, as they amassed 109 points to finish ahead of four other teams. South Brunswick finished just 1.550 points behind fifth-place Howell.
In the individual state competition, junior Jess Macay took eighth place in all-around with a 37.450, freshman Lindsay Carbone finished 19th (36.475) and junior Shannon Martin was 22nd (36.225). There were 56 girls competing in all-around.
Although she did not participate as an individual, senior Marisa Liptak had an outstanding bar routine (score of 9.4) in the team competition, which helped the Vikings placement in the standings.
”She did an incredible job on bars,” coach Mindy Verderami said. “Through perseverance, she really pulled through for our team on this event. It was great to be able to count on her and know she was going to do her best.”
Liptak could have easily called it a high school career when injuries stifled her season, but despite no promise of individual glory she gave it all for her team.
”Her routine was even better then the one at sectionals,” Verderami said. “The difficulty she is able to put in her bar routine increased her scores, which increased ours as a team. She had our top bar score both weeks.
”I wish she had the opportunity to compete in the individual competition, especially with it being her senior year. But the best is yet to come for her. She’s starting the college search and will have another Level 10 season in the spring, where I’m sure she will earn many awards and honors.”
Macay continued her remarkable season, finishing in the top 10 in three events. She took seventh on beam (9.400), ninth on vault (9.400) and floor (9.425) and 14th on bars (9.225).
”The overall competition was extremely tough, and they tightened up on the judging, understandably so,” Verderami said. “Therefore, for her to do as well as she did is fantastic.
”She has gone above and beyond this season, despite her major wrist injury. She didn’t let it hold her back, and it showed with her many accomplishments this year.”
Carbone had some ups and downs, but showed an overall savvy in her first state competition. The 9th-grader was seventh on bars (9.500), 32nd on floor (9.000), 33rd on vault (9.175) and 36th on beam (8.800). Her floor finish was the highest ever for a Viking in that event, and she did it with a school record score.
”She did well despite the placements and scores,” Verderami said. “The judges were judging a lot harder, and were nitpicking at everything, rightfully so, as it was the best of the best competing this weekend.
”To break the school record at a state meet is huge because of the level of competition there, as well as the tough judging. Lindsay is going to continue to grow, and gain lots of experience, so I know she will keep climbing the ladder of success in high school gymnastics. She did great on floor and vault, especially.”
Martin had another solid performance, taking 21st on beam (9.125), 22nd on bars (9.025), 26th on vault (9.225) and 39th on floor (8.850).
”She hit all four events at the individual competition,” Verderami said. “Shannon has become the most consistent gymnast for us this year. I always knew what I was going to get from her. She nailed her bar routine at every meet this year. That is awesome.
”Again, the judging was harder this weekend, but it isn’t an excuse because Shannon did her job. That is so important for the team to see. She to was a team player, and that I appreciate.”
In the end, Verderami perfectly summed up the bottom line for the weekend .
”There is a tremendous amount of gymnastics talent in New Jersey,” the coach said. “For our girls to be ranked in the top 25 as individuals, and ranked in the top 10 in the state is HUGE!”
Message received, loud and clear!
