Westford Academy Girls’ Gymnastics came to the near end of the season with their last home meet against Newton South on February 2, 2017. The meet’s final score was 137.65 for WA, coming in second to Newton South’s 140.0. Despite the loss, the girls had their best meet of the season, sending their seniors off with accomplishment from their last home meet. 

Senior Night started off with a mentioning of the team’s seniors at the beginning of the meet. During introductions, the coaches gave each senior flowers. Seniors on the Gymnastics team for the 2016-17 school year include Joscelyn Paglia and Julia Vitto as well as captains Kiana Brown, Caroline Zacharchuk, and Emma Orfanos.

The team’s first event was vault, with high-scoring performances from seniors Paglia, Vitto, and Brown. Vitto and Paglia completed half on half offs with solid landings, earning the team an 8.5 and an 8.6. Brown was the highest scoring vaulter of the night, scoring an 8.8 despite not sticking her tsuk, a very advanced skill.

The girls scored high on the uneven bars as well. Junior Jelina Farrell had a graceful 8.8 routine, and freshman Mia Previte performed with power, earning an 8.75. Brown scored an 8.9, the highest scoring bar routine of the night, showing off her advanced skills.

The balance beam, similar to other meets, was the team’s weakest event. High scorers include junior Hannah Wang with an 8.1, Brown with an 8.3, and Vitto with an 8.6. Most scores were in the eights despite deductions from falls.

Floor is where the team found their highest score of the night. Key gymnasts were Farrell, Paglia, and Previte with an 8.7, 8.8, and 8.9. Brown earned WA’s only score in the nines with an intricate floor routine. She scored a 9.2.

Newton South won the meet with a 140.00 topping WA’s 137.65. WA has only lost two meets so far this season, one of the losses being their highest score yet. 

Junior team member Emma Morse said, “It was our best meet of the season, so it was a great last home meet for our seniors.”

Senior night came to a close with each junior giving a speech, sending off the team’s seniors. It was a memorable ceremony that showed how strong the team’s connection is. Hugs were given and tears were shed.

“The team won’t be the same without [its seniors], and I know we’re all sad to see them go,” Morse remarked.