Gymnastics season is underway here on the North Shore and Cape Ann area. Here’s a quick team-by-team preview look at the makeup of each of our local squads.
BEVERLY
Head coach: Julie Sciamanna (9th season)
Last year’s record: 3-5
Team captains: Lily Robinson, Sr. vault/bars/beam/floor; Meghan Fessenden, Sr. beam.
Other key contributors: Carli Moran, Fr. all-around; Julia Guanci, Jr. bars/beam/floor; Nina Orlando, Soph. bars/beam/floor; Olivia Duran, Soph. vault/bars/floor; Lily Robinson, Sr. all-around.
Outlook: The Panthers hope to improve on last year’s record and climb back over .500 for the first time in the past few seasons. They have 23 gymnasts on the roster, the largest team that Sciamanna has had in her nine years with the program.
“So far the team is working hard on putting their routines together,” said Sciamanna. “Our freshmen come to us with some great talent and lots of excitement to represent Beverly High School. We’re excited to get the season started.”
BISHOP FENWICK
Head coach: Daria Howard (1st season)
Last year’s record: 3-6
Team captains: Siena Igoe, Sr. vault/beam/floor; Ariana Summa, Sr. vault/beam/floor; Julia Ofilos, Sr. beam/floor.
Other key contributors: Ava DiNitto, Jr. all-around; Gaby Millett, Jr. all-around; Addy Gilman, Fr. all-around; Sophie Koles, Soph. all-around.
Outlook: Howard takes over the Crusaders after serving as an assistant coach the past couple of seasons.
“The girls have been working hard since we started, and I’m excited to see how much progress they’ve made and how they can all contribute to the team,” said Howard. “We got our highest score ever last season and I’m hoping we can match it, and maybe even exceed it, with this group coming in.”
DANVERS
Head coach: Jen Habeeb (9th season)
Last year’s record: 8-1; 2nd at state championships
Team captains: Maddie Wescott, Jr. vault/beam
Other key contributors: Camryn Donovan, Jr. all-around; Kayle Wescott, Fr. all-around; Callie Donovan, Jr. vault/beam/floor
Outlook: Habeeb’s squad dropped just one meet last winter, coming to unbeaten four-time state champion Masconomet. This year, they bring back a ton of talent and are poised for another strong campaign.
“We’re looking forward to another successful year,” said Habeeb. “We have a lot of talent on our team and are hoping to make it back to the state competition.”
ESSEX TECH
Head coaches: Andrea Walsh & Sarah Bean (2nd season for both); Brianna McNeil (1st season)
Last year’s record: N/A
Team captains: Hannah Desilites, Sr. all-around; Chloe Coffey, Sr. floor.
Other key contributors: Brooke Medico, Jr. all-around; Katana O’Keefe, Jr. all-around; Susie Puska, Jr. vault/floor; Marlaina Vikara, Fr. all-around; Ava Fucci, Fr. all-around.
Outlook: The Hawks are led by a pair of returning coaches, as well as a new coach in McNeil. They have strong senior leadership at the top, some key returning juniors competing in the all-around, and a pair of freshmen who will be plugged into the lineup in various events. The goal is to improve every day and make strides from last season.
GLOUCESTER/IPSWICH
Head coach: Lizzie Asaro (1st season)
Last year’s record: N/A
Team captains: Abbie Wallace Tastad, Sr. vault/floor; Molly Pennimpede, Sr. all-around; Madeline Pekrul, Sr. all-around.
Other key contributors: Bella Gallegos, Sr. vault/beam/floor; Sarah Mirabile, Sr. all-around
“Our goal is to improve our all around scores from last year, complete new skills, and support each other as a team while having fun,” said Asaro.
HAMILTON-WENHAM/MANCHESTER ESSEX
Head coach: Christian Way (6th season)
Last year’s record: 7-2
Team captains: Norah Keys, Sr. all-around; Olivia Novak, Sr. all-around; Georgia Greaves, Sr. all-around; Lucie O’Flynn, Sr. vault.
Other key contributors: Julia Bial, Jr. bars/beam/floor; Amelia Franklin, Soph. bars/beam/floor; Evelyn Durey, Soph. bars/beam/floor; Elida Carr, Soph. all-around; Alexandra Jose, Fr. all-around; Lucy Cronin, Fr. vault; Ema Klefti, Fr. vault; Dana Wheeler, 8th grade, vault/beam/floor.
Outlook: The Hamilton-Wenham and Manchester Essex co-op squad boasts a deep roster with plenty of new faces joining experienced gymnasts at the top. Following a successful season in 2023, they’re hoping to qualify for the sectional tournament.
MASCONOMET
Head coach: Vasko Vetzev (1st season)
Last year’s record: 9-0, four-time state champions
Team captains: Bella Misiura, Sr. all-around; Kenna Miyazaki, Sr. vault/bars/floor.
Other key contributors: Natalia Cafarelli, Jr. beam/floor/vault; Fallon Eberhardt, Jr. all-around; Kate Mugge, Soph. all-around.
Outlook: The defending state champion Chieftains are locked and loaded for another season with high expectations. One of the state’s top gymnasts, Bella Misiura, is back for her senior campaign to lead the charge. Masco brings in a new coach in Vasko Vetzev, who has coached many of the girls on the team for quite some time at the club level. The Chieftains also have four new freshman joining the team who will make an immediate impact as well.
PEABODY
Head coaches: Jeanne Flynn (3rd season) & Mackenzie Leavitt (2nd season)
Last year’s record: 0-8
Team captains: Kimberly Viera, Sr. beam/vault; Bailey Merchant, Sr. beam
Other key contributors: Nelly Fernandez, Jr. beam; Madison Semper, Fr. beam/vault/floor; Molly Hagerty, 8th grade all-around; Brisa Perez, 8th grade beam/vault; Cairo Martinez, Sr. bars; Jakob Pinheiro, Sr. bars.
Outlook: According to Leavitt, “our outlook is super positive, with lots of new faces with surprising amounts of skills for rookie gymnastics. These kids have already been working so hard in practice, so we’re expecting them to all improve significantly by the end of season.”
After failing to win a meet last year while showing improvements throughout, the Tanners would love nothing more than to continue to move in the right direction in 2024.
SALEM
Head coach: Cheyenne Zalewski (1st season)
Last year’s record: N/A
Team captains: Chloe Blaisdel, Sr. all-around (out for season with injury); Barbara Rowley, Jr. all-around.
Other key contributors: Enatu Hall, Fr. all-round; Mia Silva, Soph. combo; Emily Mercier, Soph. combo;
Outlook: ”My expectations for the season are simple: I want the team to go out and make themselves, the school and myself proud,” said Zalewski. “Club gymnastics is mostly an individual sport, where high school gymnastics is all about the team. I’m hoping these kids can come out of the season with a good sense of self awareness, a little more self confidence, and a good sense of teamwork. We also wouldn’t mind a win here or there!”