CHS gymnasts starting to hit their stride

When CHS gymnastics began this season, the team was mired in injuries and inexperience. This week, though, the Bulldogs have broken through to new levels of difficulty and scores. Despite falling to both opponents, Becca Pulcini soared past her previous best performances to earn a 9.1 on the vault against Oliver Ames and a 9.0 on vault and a 9.1 on floor exercises against King Philip.

As co-captain, Pulcini has led the team both in and out of the gym. Head coach Carla King cited Pulcini’s power on the vault and floor as keys to the young athlete’s success. Strong in all events, Pulcini has done especially well with a tsukahara vault, a skill in which she must complete a half twist after jumping off the springboard but before leaving the horse in a backwards direction. Pulcini also scored a 7.8 on the bars against King Philip.

King is pleased with all that her team has accomplished. Their goal, to “improve day by day, meet by meet,” has been exceeded, thanks to the Bulldogs’ persistence and team spirit.

King had especially high praise for two of her top gymnasts – Pulcini and Siena Terenzio – who have led a team that now feels like a family. “Siena and Becca have really gone above and beyond their captain duties,” she said. “They have had great ideas about fundraising and implemented them on their own.”

Liz Mason, another pillar of the team’s improving marks, earned top scores this week against both teams. Mason, who competes in the all around, has “continuously raised her scores on every event,” noted King. Mason scored a 7.5 (vault) and a 7.6 (floor) against OA and a 7.55 (vault), 7.5 (floor), 7.1 (bars), and a season-high 7.8 on the beam against KP.

Another standout performer against King Philip was Jillian Burke. She scored a 7.0 on the beam, which was a tremendous improvement for the young gymnast. The freshmen have continued to contribute as well. King said that the newcomers have been showing “great improvements on beam and it has been reflecting in their scores.”

With the last few meets on the horizon, King looks forward to her remaining time with the gymnasts. “The girls,” she expressed, “have been a pleasure to work with.”

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Posted by Kelsey Oates on Jan 27 2011. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.