The Howell High School girls gymnastics team, which has enjoyed its share of success in the recent past, Twill be looking for more of the same in 2010.
In 2009, the Freehold Township High School Patriots snapped Howell’s four-year, 35 dual-meet win streak and went on to capture the Shore Conference A North Division title, ending Howell’s threeyear reign.
Coach Jenn Hier’s Rebels, however, came back to defend their Shore Conference team title later in the 2009 season.
Brianna Ecklof, the Shore Conference all-around champion, has graduated, leaving the Rebels with a big void to fill.
However, Howell had several girls qualify for the Shore Conference and Central Jersey state sectional meets last year, and the Rebels will be relying on that depth this year, led by senior co-captains Holly Miller and Rachel Smith.
Junior Monet Masters and sophomore Bayleigh Fobes are outstanding all-around performers who should be the team’s scoring leaders.
Seniors Kristin Murray and Caitlyn Hoch, juniors Theresa Gagliano and Ariana Rodriguez, and sophomore Carly Vendittoll will give Howell depth in every event.
Freshman Antoanette Bronisevsky has given the team a lift on the floor exercise.
Howell started the 2010 season strongly, beating another Shore
Conference A North Division contender, Middletown South, 103.7 to 102.5.
Hier said the Rebels are looking forward to a successful gymnastics season that will include qualifying as a team for the Shore Conference and state sectional meets.
The Shore Conference Championships are scheduled for Oct. 30 at Brick Memorial High School in Brick Township.
Manalapan High School will host the Central Jersey state sectional meet Nov. 6.
The individual (Nov. 12) and team (Nov. 13) state gymnastics championships will be held at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.