Gymnastics has sophomore backbone

Gymnastics team: (Back row, L-R) Lea Harris, Katie Moss, Taylor Cushing, Liz Tillotson, Maria Castine, Dory Mclaughlin, Lauren Risley, Nicola Watson; (Front L-R) Nicole Beal, Heather Bombard, Danielle Archambault, Sam Kelly, Amanda Watson, Karly Fereday.

Mary Thelan is back for another year as head coach of the varsity gymnastics team. The core of the group is made up of sophomores, 11 of a total of 17 gymnasts. The roster includes seniors Kate Mullins, Jessica Templeton; junior Taylor Cushing; sophomores Jen Demar, Karly Fereday, Lea Harris, Samantha Kelley, Dory McLaughlin, Katie Moss, Danielle Archambault, Maria Castine, Lauren Risley, Liz Tillotson, Amanda Watson; freshmen Heather Bombard and Nicole Beal. The team manager is Janelle Lauziere.

According to Coach Thelen, Kate Mullins, returning for her third season is a strong vaulter and one of the top competitors on beam.
Jessica Templeton is in her fourth year and will be competing on vault.

Taylor Cushing is a third year returning gymnast and she will be competing on beam.

Thelen says, “We have a very strong sophomore class--Jen Demar will compete in 3 events this year. She was very successful on beam and bars last year and she will contribute on floor this year as well. She has a very strong work ethic and her form and determination will be a big asset to us. Dory McLaughlin is very talented on the uneven parallel bars and competes on floor and vaulting as well. Maria Castine is a strong competitor on floor, beam, vault and she will be adding uneven bars to her repertoire. Liz Tillotson competes on vault, bars and beam. Lauren Risley and Samantha Kelley round out our ‘sophomore beam line-up." Kate Moss, Lea Harris and Amanda Watson will be competing on floor. Karly Faraday is a talented gymnast who competes on floor, vault and bars. Our anchor this year will be sophomore Danielle Archambault who is a club gymnast and competes all around. She is struggling with an injury but we do hope that she will be able to compete through the season for us. She will be a formidable competitor at the state level. Newcomers this year include Nicole Beal who competed last year at the junior high level and Heather Bombard. We look for big things from these girls in the future.”

The first meet is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 7 at U-32 with a 7 p.m. start time and the first home meet will be on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at Herrick Ave.beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Go Ladyjackets!!!