Gymnasts look promising despite 0-1 start

Coming off a less-than-stellar season in 2010-2011, the Canton High gymnastics team looks promising for the 2011-2012 campaign. Despite a loss in their first meet last Tuesday at Mansfield, there are several indications that the Bulldogs will be much more competitive as the season progresses.

Although the Hornets won convincingly by a final score of 138.2-116.4, Tuesday’s meet may have had a different outcome if it had not occurred during school vacation week. Head coach Carla King indicated that the team did “very well, given the fact six team members were gone on vacation.”

But hopes remain high as veteran captains Becca Pulcini and Jessie Brooks return to lead the squad. Pulcini, who was injured early in the Mansfield meet and will be out for the next few meets, still pulled off a solid showing on the beam. Brooks also performed well on the beam and earned a team-high 8.3 in the floor exercise.

In addition to Pulcini and Brooks, many other gymnasts are back from last year’s team and they are joined by several talented newcomers. Freshman Abby Greene stood out in all four events, finishing with an 8.0 or better on vault, bars and floor while scoring a team-best 7.6 on beam. Fellow freshman Erin Proctor excelled on the floor.

Another standout in the opening meet was senior Josh Klein, who returns after a one-year hiatus. Klein dominated the vault with an 8.8 and also performed well on the bars and floor.

Coach King said she’s very much looking forward to this season and stressed that it’s a “very promising team, with hard workers and lots of talent.”

The Bulldogs were scheduled to host King Philip on Wednesday and will travel to Sharon on Friday. Next Monday brings a showdown at home versus Oliver Ames.

By Holly Erickson

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Jan 4 2012. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.