Gymnastics defeated Brookwood 147.3-114.3, continuing its 8-0 win streak in the SOA Thursday, Jan. 30. The team’s score destroyed the previous school record of 146.65 for the fourth time this season.
“The best part of the season was breaking all the records,” said head coach Cassie Ford. “I know there’s more to come.”
Before the competition, Ford presented flowers to the Brookwood senior, as well as North’s seniors Sofia Dukakis, Peter Engel, Parker Ferguson, Molly Haughton, and Kristina Petrulakis.
To kick off the meet, the Tigers’ first event was vault with Brookwood on uneven bars. Haughton gave an extraordinary performance, scoring a mighty 9.4 points with her Tsukahara pike. Dukakis scored 9.25 points with her Tsuk pike, putting the Tigers on track to beat their previous record.
“Getting to hang out with this team and being around a diverse group of people brings a really wide range of emotions to competitions,” said Ferguson. “This team is a really fun place to be.”
With high energy from an exciting first event, the Tigers began their uneven bar routines. Dukakis once again performed a phenomenal overshoot release from the high bar to low, scoring 9.55. Sophomore Simona Batista-Ciani also executed an incredible overshoot, scoring 9.35, totaling the team event at 36.55.
On beam, Dukakis scored 9.45 points with a virtually perfect back handspring back layout step out. Additionally, freshman Lucia Grapski, scoring 9.3, and Batista-Ciani, scoring 9.25, continued to raise the limits of the meet for another record-breaking night.
According to Dukakis and Haughton, captains along with Petrulakis, breaking the school records over and over again made this season the best gymnastics season North has ever seen.
“I’m really proud I was able to contribute to at least one of the times we broke the record,” added Engel. “This team has a great atmosphere.”
To conclude the evening, the team’s seniors prepared for their final floor routines of the home season. With all-around exceptional performances from the Tigers, the event was an incredible success. Petrulakis stepped onto the floor for her first competition routine in over a year due to her battle with cancer, marking a special night for her and the team.
North, 8-0, will face Framingham away Tuesday, Feb. 9.