Gymnastics won the Bay States Conference Championship with an outstanding score of 147.3, defeating the rest of its league and extending its win streak to 10-0 in the SOA Saturday, Feb. 8.
The Tigers began the meet with a bye, a break before competing to give the team a chance to rest before beginning the competition with vault.
As each gymnast competed, North’s score began to rise. With seniors Molly Haughton and Sofia Dukakis, captains along with senior Kristina Petrulakis, both scoring over 9.40, the two captains started the meet with inspiring energy that spread throughout the team, according to head coach Cassie Ford.
“We have a team of incredible gymnasts and incredible personalities. They all mesh really well and their bond just strengthens us and our energy,” said Ford.
As the meet progressed and the team moved to bars. With sophomore Simona Batista-Ciani scoring an extraordinary 9.60 and Dukakis a 9.50, the Tigers continued to increase their score.
“When one person does well, it’s contagious and everyone starts doing really well,” said Haughton. “It’s a really great vibe and feeling, and we have a great community,”
Beam was next for North, with strong performances from Batista-Ciani scoring a 9.50 and freshman Lucia Grapski scoring a 9.40, growing the team’s excitement and bolstering the Tigers’ spirit.
North’s final apparatus was floor, the event with the closing performances of the meet. With another strong score of 9.15 from Grapski, the Tigers finished the meet with a total score of 147.3, matching the school record the team had set earlier this season and closing out the meet with a win.
“When we’re positive, everything works. We tied the school record again today, and we have to keep our confidence up to continue to progress,” said Dukakis.
As the meet concluded, so did the regular season. Following the meet award ceremony, Bay State awards were handed out.
Freshman Alana Dukakis earned All-Star for vault, Batista-Ciani earned All-Star for bars, and freshman Katherine Shu earned All-Star for beam.
Following the individual apparatus awards, Bay State All-Stars were named next. Petrulakis earned an honorable mention while sophomore Greer Howard, Grapski, Dukakis, and Houghton all received all-around All-Star awards.
The Tigers, 10-0, will attend Sectionals Saturday, Feb. 22 at Algonquin Regional High School.
