By Warren Rappleyea
Red Bank Catholic (RBC) High School’s gymnastics team is off to a 2-0 start, as it looks to win a third straight NJSIAA championship.
The Caseys have been hobbled by some nagging injuries but still managed to down Middletown High School South, 105.7-105.275, and Marlboro High School, 107.575 – 106.725.
Despite a strong showing by Middletown South’s Colleen Addario in the season-opening meet for both teams, RBC prevailed. Sierra Garcia took first place in the floor exercise, second in the all-around and third in vault. Nicolette DiPrisco also had a solid meet for the Caseys, winning in the uneven bars, finishing second in the balance beam and taking third in the floor exercise.
Coach Ronanne DeRosa’s Caseys parlayed a strong performance by Alex Cucich into the win over Marlboro. Cucich took first in the floor exercise, second in the uneven bars and third in balance beam. DiPrisco tied for first in the beam and was third in both the uneven bars and the floor exercise.
“Those were a couple of very tough ones to start off with,” DeRosa said. “Getting by Middletown South and Marlboro coming out of the gate is a big plus. We expect to be tested this year by just about every team we go up against. We’re going to have to get used to it.”
Fortunately, RBC has the talent to compete with just about any team. Cucich, who has committed to the University of New Hampshire, is coming off a strong season that saw her finish fifth in the all-around at the NJSIAA individual championship. The junior also finished third all-around at the Shore Conference Tournament and fourth all-around in Central Jersey, Section I.
Garcia, a senior, was eighth all-around at the state meet, where she also finished sixth in vault and 10th in the floor exercise. She also took fifth place in the all-around in Central Jersey, Section I. Fellow senior Alexa Bizzogotti gives the Caseys another threat on the balance beam. In addition, RBC will benefit from the return of Cassie Riley, who missed all of last season with a hip injury. DeRosa is expecting a strong return by Riley, particularly on the balance beam and uneven bars.
DiPrisco, meanwhile, is off to a strong start. The junior, who committed to the University of Northern Illinois, is a strong all-around performer who excels on the bars. Kaila Damanski competes in vault, floor exercise and balance beam and is coming off a strong showing on the beam in the win against Marlboro.
RBC has been competing without multi-talented junior Nicole DiLeva, who is week to week, according to DeRosa, after suffering a minor injury. Promising freshmen Gabrielle Donnelly and Lily Raymond round out the Caseys’ roster.
“The girls are excited about going for a three-peat — winning another title is definitely the goal,” the coach said. “It’s going to be tough though. The expectations are a little different when you’re the champion. I think it’s much harder to be the team being chased than it is to be the team chasing.”
The Caseys were scheduled to pursue win No. 3 Sept. 19 when Monmouth Regional High School came to visit. On Sept. 22, RBC will travel to Howell High School.