Gymnastics tumbles

APRIL 8, NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM

Blair's girls gymnastics team lost their first meet of the season to Blake on Friday, April 8. Despite the absence of several gymnasts, the Blazers managed to finish the meet with 106.35 points. The Bengals scored 162.5 points, however, winning the meet and starting Blair's season record at 0-1.

The Blazers entered the match without co-captain junior Raya Steinberg, who could not compete because of an ankle injury. Sophomore Lisa Wong, Blair's leading scorer and the only Blazer to make the 2004 All-County and All-Gazette gymnastics teams last season, was also absent, further challenging the Blazers' chances of success.

The Blazers performed solidly despite the absence of these key gymnasts but were unable to place in the top three in any event, a handicap that greatly reduced the number of points that the team could earn. However, the Blazers did achieve several top-six finishes. Sophomore Nicole Poor did the best out of the Blazers present, placing fifth in both the beam and all-around competitions.

Co-captain junior Rose Feinberg took sixth in the all-around event, and junior Edra Brisbane and freshman Courtney Forbes finished sixth in the vault and floor competitions, respectively.

Despite the Blazers' loss, coach Paul Belliveau felt proud of the team's performance. "We had several girls competing for the first time ever,"? he said, adding that despite the Blazers' relative inexperience, they were able to pull together as a team. "Everyone supported each other and did great,"? Belliveau said.

Feinberg said that she was disappointed with the loss, but she expects that the team will improve as the season progresses. "We knew from the beginning that Blake was a much more experienced team than us," she explained, "but in terms of our gymnasts' individual ability, everyone did so well. We have a whole season in front of us."