You’d be hard-pressed to find a team with more resolve than the Freehold High School girls gymnastics team. The Colonials had obstacles thrown at them all year, from having no gym to practice or compete in (a July storm ruined their facility at the high school) to injuries along the way. Yet, the Colonials never let any of that derail them from remaining one of the state’s elite programs.
They certainly proved it by winning the Shore Conference B North Division title, the Shore Conference Championship for the third straight year and the NJSIAA Central Jersey Section I championship for a record-tying third consecutive year. They finished the season by giving a spirited defense of their 2011 state team championship by placing second at the state meet. The Colonials came up with their highest score of the season, 111.325.
All-around standouts Jen King and Jenna Crisalli were the foundation.
As big of a season as it was for the Colonials, others also enjoyed success. Howell High School’s Bayleigh Fobes won the state championship on the vault and Colts Neck High School’s Courtney DeDea was the Shore Conference champion on the balance beam.
King, Crisalli, Fobes, DeDea, Freehold Township High School’s Samantha Gormley and Freehold’s Shani Weiss make up the News Transcript’s 2012 All-Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD) Gymnastics Team.
King graduates as one of the most decorated gymnasts in FRHSD history. She won it all during her four years at Freehold, including individual and team state championships, and she made her final season in 2012 memorable.
Slowed by an ankle injury early in the season, the senior peaked for the big meets, standing out in state competition.
King began to find her stride at the Shore Conference Championships, where she was second in the all-around (37.650), floor exercise (9.575) and balance beam (9.575).
The Colonials’ captain won the all-around championship at the NJSIAA Central Jersey Section I meet (37.525). To her delight, she captured the individual title on her favorite event, the balance beam (9.525), and she was the sectional winner on the floor exercise (9.525). She also took second on the vault (9.450) and fifth on the uneven bars (9.025).
At the state championships King was on the podium for the all-around, finishing third (37.800). She won the bronze on the beam (9.475) and bars (9.575). King saved her best all-around performance for the state team championships, where she was the high scorer (38.025) in helping Freehold finish second.
Along with her obvious talent, the Colonials will miss her leadership next year.
Crisalli, a junior, enjoyed another great season and is poised to become the team leader in 2013. She won the floor exercise at the Shore Conference meet (9.625) and tied DeDea for third place in the all-around (37.535).
At the state sectional, Crisalli placed third in the all-around (37.200) and was runner up to King on the floor exercise (9.500). She took third on the beam (9.300) and fourth on the uneven bars (9.250).
At the state championships, Crisalli placed fifth in the all-around (37.800) and established herself as a contender for next year. The Colonials’ standout took third on the floor exercise (9.525) and was sixth on the bars (9.375).
Both King and Crisalli were named to the All-State Gymnastics Team for the allaround by the New Jersey Girls Gymnastics Coaches Association (NJGGCA).
Fobes won the vault at the Shore Conference championships (9.65), but she had a shaky Central Jersey meet. She just made it to the state individual meet by tying DeDea for fifth place on the vault (9.300).
The Rebels’ senior made the most of her second chance at the state championships, though, and nailed her landing perfectly to come up with her best score of the year — 9.750, which was good enough to win the state title. She followed in the footsteps of her sister, Austyn, who was the all-around state champion in 2008. Fobes was selected All-State on the vault by the NJGGCA. Fobes was a solid all-around performer, finishing eighth at the state sectional (35.100).
DeDea capped her four-year career by defending her Shore Conference title on the balance beam (9.650). She tied Crisalli for third in the all-around (37.525) and took third on the vault (9.600)
The Cougars’ standout was seventh in the all-around in Central Jersey Section I (35.150) and tied Fobes for fifth place on the vault.
King, DeDea and Fobes certainly left their marks on FRHSD gymnasts during their shining careers.
Gormley performed well in the championship meets. In Central Jersey, she was sixth in the all-around (35.400) and fifth on the floor exercise (9.125). In helping the Patriots to a 9-5 dual meet record, Gormley won the all-around in most of those meets.
Weiss was the Colonials’ important third all-around scorer. The junior was third on the bars in the conference (9.300). In Central Jersey, she was 10th in the all-around (35.025) and fourth on the balance beam (9.100). Her best all-around score was 35.7. Crisalli and she will be the core of the 2013 Colonials.
Student-athletes who have earned All- FRHSD honorable mention recognition for their performances during the 2012 season are Elyse Janczewski, Freehold Township, and Hailey Strieby, Manalapan High School.