Gymnastics, with unparalleled scores and a flawless 9-0 record, concluded the season with a bang, once again proving itself to be a powerhouse.
Matching the previous school record they set, the Tigers scored 147.3, earning their second consecutive first-place title at the conference.
On Saturday, Feb. 9 in the SOA, seniors Molly Haughton and Sofia Dukakis, captains along with senior Kristina Petrulakis, projected inspiring energy that spread throughout the team after they both scored over 9.40. Their impressive performances, adding points to the team’s score, led the Tigers to their win, resulting in a perfect end to a perfect season.
“I think the key to the team’s success this season is that we have a group of extremely talented gymnasts who are constantly supporting one another, have such a strong bond, and work so well together,” said head coach Cassie Ford.
The team’s first meet, where the Tigers won 144.35-117.8, was on Tuesday, Dec. 17 against South.
Winning against Walpole on January 3, the Tigers left the SOA with their heads held high after an amazing performance, with a score of 139.5.
Building on the momentum from their last two wins, the Tigers returned to competition four days later.
Just after one of their lowest-scoring meets of the season, the team broke the school record with a score of 145.7, competing against Wellesley.
“We practice, we train so hard, we just have to trust ourselves and deliver how we’ve been practicing,” said senior Sofia Dukakis, a captain along with seniors Kristina Petrulakis and Molly Haughton.
Dukakis led the team to a two-year winning streak, as the Tigers went undefeated with an 8-0 record last year as well.
Breaking the record with a 0.2 increase against Needham Friday, Jan. 17, the team steadily worked toward its goal of going undefeated this season, according to Haughton.
The Tigers’ third consecutive record-break was on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The team won with a score of 146.65, 30 points more than Weymouth’s 116.4.
With five graduating seniors, including the three captains, the team brought its’ best to annual senior sight meet on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Earning the highest score of their season, the Tigers broke their record one last time with a 147.3 score.
“Senior night was really memorable… we had a really good meet that day. I’ve had a lot of people tell me and Molly that we were on fire,” said Dukakis.
Family and friends came together to celebrate Dukakis, Haughton, Petrulakis, and seniors Peter Engel and Parker Ferguson.
According to Haughton, she’s been dreaming of her senior season since 7th grade.
“At senior night, it was so amazing to highlight all of our seniors. We also broke the school record for the 4th time, and I’m looking forward to many more memorable moments this season,” added Ford.
After ten more days of preparing routines, the Tigers outdid themselves at the Bay State Conference, winning awards in every category.
The Tigers matched their previous record-breaking score of 147.3, sticking beam routines perfectly and bringing energy for days.
Dukakis won 1st place all-around, and freshman Lucia Grapski won 3rd in the same category.
“As a team, we definitely wanted to make it as far as we have now. I think we’re just taking it one meet at a time,” said Haughton. “We just go with the flow, and do our best.”
Fresh back from a concussion, Haughton achieved 1st place in the vault category, and freshman Sela Yoon was right behind her with 2nd place.
Petrulakis, who only recently stepped back onto the floor after her battle with cancer, earned an honorable mention. Sophomore Greer Howard, freshman Lucia Grapski, Dukakis, and Houghton received all-around All-Star awards. Dukakis earned All-Star for vault, sophomore Simona Batista-Ciani earned All-Star for bars, and Shu earned All-Star for beam.
Dukakis attributed the team’s success this season to their closeness. “I think we just have such a good relationship with everybody, so it’s always easier to thrive as a team when everybody’s cheering each other on and supporting each other,” she said.
After an incredible goal-breaking and record-setting season, the Tigers are preparing for the MIAA sectionals Feb. 22 at Algonquin Regional High School.
