Gymnastics celebrates seniors after nearly undefeated season

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Photo Aaliyah Yan

Sophomore Acacia Truong performs a standing back tuck on the balance beam.

Aaliyah Yan, Assistant Opinion Editor

The gymnastics team celebrated senior night after a 142.55-136.2 win against Medway Holliston Millis (MHM) on Wednesday, January 30, adding another victory to their almost undefeated season.

The team’s current record is 10-1.

The scoring is determined by the top four scores out of the six girls that compete on each team. Points get added up for the final event score.

Algonquin won the most points for each event with vault at a 35.45, bars a 35.4, beam a 35.9 and floor a 35.8, adding up to a grand total of 142.55 to win over MHM’s 136.2.

“I think competition-wise, we are doing amazing, but teamwork-wise we are doing even better,” gymnastics coach Jordan McStay said. “The girls give feedback to each other and enjoy working together, in return I think that’s why we are doing so well in meets.”

The main event of the meet was senior night, an ongoing tradition for the team. Senior night consists of making each senior a poster, showering them in their favorite snacks and ending with a speech from the coaches. The two seniors this year are captain Leanne Hart and Tessa McAndrews.

“When I was a freshman, I never really thought about the seniors leaving until senior night came,” McAndrews said. “Ever since then, senior night has meant something to me. It’s definitely a weird feeling being here now and having everyone giving me snacks and gifts.”

“When I think about senior night it’s like, ‘wow I’m growing up, and this is my life and it’s taking off,’” Hart said.

Senior night isn’t just about the team thanking the seniors, but it’s about the coach thanking them as well. A first-time high school coach, McStay appreciates the tremendous help the seniors have been this year.

“Coming in [as a first-time high school coach] I was nervous because I didn’t know the aspects of running a high school team, but the seniors have helped me a lot in supporting me my first year,” McStay said.

With their teamwork and winning streak, gymnastics hopes to keep it going all the way to states.

“The future of Algonquin gymnastics is big, especially with these coaches and the amazing athletes we have,” McAndrews said. “Hopefully we see states in the future.”