Articles

SJA gymnastics prepare for strong season

Details

Created on Wednesday, 07 December 2011 18:35

Written by Jordan Royer

The St. Johnsbury gymnastics team admittedly might start off slowly this season but head coach Beverly McCarthy expects to have her squad at their best for the state meet.

“Having only one athlete who trains year round we start the year slowly as the athletes get back into shape and learn the necessary skills,” McCarthy said. “This team has potential and we plan to be at our best for states.”

Mariah Adam, a sophomore, is the lone Hilltopper to train year round and it shows. “She is our strongest all around gymnast and will improve scores through the season as routines are perfected and new skills mastered.”

The Academy also returns a pair of senior leaders, Cole Forester-Clarke and Faith Phillips, who learned great leadership from Claire Simons, last season's leader. “Claire will be missed but she was a great role model for Faith Phillips and Cole Forester-Clarke who have become very capable team leaders.” Forester-Clarke also brings over four years of competition experience to the team and will look to do big things on the beam, her strongest event.

St. Johnsbury also welcomes some newcomers to the squad to look out for including junior Brittany Scott and freshman Holly Downing and Monica Steffey. Scott brings a competitive cheerleading background to the team and her strong tumbling skills should translate to good scores on the floor and vault. Downing is new to the sport of gymnastics but coach McCarthy says she is learning quickly and is someone to keep an eye on. Steffey's dance background should mean good scores on the floor and beam.

The 'Toppers will open the season with a string of tough competition including what McCarthy said are three of the best teams in the state in their first three meets. They will open the season on Dec. 17 at the South Burlington Invitational.