September 22, 2007
Fab Four to Battle for Shore's Best
Asbury Park Press by Lynne Clemente Burke
With the gymnastics season under way, it appears as if 2007 is going to pick up right where 2006 left off.
Last year's top four teams at the Shore - Howell, Red Bank Catholic, Colts Neck, Ocean - started quickly and impressively this past week. By each already surpassing the 106 mark, the four teams have demonstrated that they once again will battle for supremacy.
They are equally capable and should lead the way through an exciting, competitive year.
Howell has two of the state's top all-arounders in junior Austyn Fobes and sophomore Brianna Ecklof.
Both gymnasts have started strong, adding more difficulty and racking up impressive scores. Both have upgraded their vaults to a 10.0 start value - something relatively few gymnasts in the state can claim.
Ecklof debuted a handspring front while Fobes performed her Yurchenko in a layout position. They scored 9.525 and 9.6, respectively, in a close, nail-biting victory over Colts Neck on Thursday.
Ecklof, who also added a back handspring, back layout series on beam, continues to shine on beam and floor where her body lines, toe point, and artistry reign supreme.
She posted a 9.725 to win floor on Thursday.
Fobes dominates on bars.
Her beautiful Pak salto and double back dismount are the highlights of her routine which has already topped the 9.7 mark this year.
Fobes and Ecklof are backed by returning all-arounder Alexa DeCanio and freshman Holly Miller. Miller could fill a void on vault that hurt the Rebels last year in the postseason. She could provide a much improved third vault score if she hits her tuck tsuk.
Despite losing All-Shore superstar gymnast Lindsay Diamond to graduation, Colts Neck performed brilliantly in a heartbreaking 0.4 loss to Howell this week. They proved that they still belong amongst the Shore's elite squads.
Senior Danielle D'Elia looks stronger than ever as she registered four mid 9s against Howell. She made it clear that she will be one of the favorites in the postseason meets.
Returning from an injury last season, Samantha Pecoraro has been a key factor in the Cougars' success thus far. Her strong points include a pike tsuk vault and a toe front dismount from bars. Erin Payne is a solid all-arounder who also competes a nice pike tsuk on vault. Kelsey Hoffbauer's uniquely difficult skills include a beautiful uprise handstand on bars and an equally impressive front 1 and one-half on floor. Allie Burke also contributes on all four events for Colts Neck.
RBC, meanwhile, is led by All-Shore junior Brook Grohol. Grohol has already shown improvements as she now competes a more difficult and unique bar routine, as well as a new floor routine that exhibits beautiful artistry and expression. Grohol has cemented herself as one of the individual favorites for postseason accolades.
Seniors Kristen Cahn and Ainsley Keating provide the skills and experience that RBC will need when November rolls around.
Ocean returns a strong core of all-around gymnasts from last season's squad. Led by Kelly Nagy, the Spartan team is packed with seasoned competitors who compete in club gymnastics year-round. Nagy debuted this week against St. Rose with impressive scores of 9.45 on vault and 9.425 on floor. Teammate Kristen Wells scored a 9.3 on vault while Alyssa Aaron won beam with a 9.425 score. Newcomer Daniella Bedoya also contributed solid scores on each event.
With four solid all-arounders, Ocean's depth is very favorable.
Freehold is another team that could raise some eyebrows this year.
Their top four all-around competitors from last season have each returned for 2007.
Nicole Panzarino has competed sparingly in the first two meets due to a slight injury but did register a 9.15 on bars this week. Alex Puntolillo led the way for the Colonials in their victory over Toms River South on Monday. She won bars, beam, and floor with solid, consistent scores of 9.0, 8.95, and 8.9, respectively.
Puntolillo is a very well-rounded gymnast with good difficulty and exceptional artistry.
Another key contributor for the Colonials is sophomore Lindsey Gumann. Her difficult beam routine includes a wolf jump-back tuck combination and a roundoff-full dismount while the highlight of her tumbling on floor is an impressive front full stepout through to a back tuck.
Junior Laura Gallo contributes with her dynamic vaulting and consistent, clean beam routine.
