Sports Shorts

Gymnasts from the Wilton Academy of Gymnastics in Howell recently competed in the Level 9 USA Gymnastics New Jersey State Championships held at Rutgers University on March 14. In Level 9, age 14 action, Andrea DeToro took ninth on the vault (8.65) and scored a 33.675 in the all-around.

In Level 9, age 16-plus action, Felicia Massaro took sixth on the floor (9.0) and scored a 33.05 in the all-around.

In Level 9, age 16-plus action, Jessica Oddo took first on the bars (9.0) and beam (9.6), and ninth on the vault (8.7) en route to winning the all-around with a score of 36.2. With these scores, Jessica Oddo has also qualified to compete in the USA Gymnastics Regional Championships to be held on April 3 and 4 in Virginia Beach, Va.

The Wilton gymnasts also participated in the Spring Fling, held at Cherry Hill Gymnastics, on March 20. In Level 8 action, Meghan Cole took first on the bars (9.1) and floor (9.450) en route to winning the all-around (36.250).

In Level 4, ages 6-7 action, Shani Weiss took fourth on the floor (8.5), seventh on the bars (8.0), and eighth on the vault (9.05) and beam (8.0), en route to a sixth in the all-around (33.55). Victoria Wilton took eighth on the bars (8.0) and scored 32.60 in the all-around.

In Level 4, age 8 action, Jessica Cataldo scored a 24.6 in the all-around, while Julia Fran took first on the vault (9.825), third on the bars (8.85), sixth on the floor (8.85) and eighth on the beam (8.8) to finish fourth in the all-around (36.325). Samantha Gormley scored 34.2 in the all-around.

In Level 4, ages 9-13 action, Erin Miglin took first on the vault (9.95) and fifth on the bars (8.8) en route to a ninth-place finish in the all-around (35.3). Nicole Murdocca was first on bars (9.45), fifth on floor (9.0), seventh on vault (9.7) and 11th on beam (8.45) to finish fourth in the all-around (36.6).

The Shore Coaches have selected their All-Shore and All-Division teams, which was good news for several are athletes.

St. John Vianney’s Shantel Brown, of Lakewood, was named First Team All-Shore after leading the Lancers this season. Her teammate, Courtney Calderon, earned Second Team honors.

Jackson’s Kenny Simms also earned Second Team honors for his stellar play this past season.

In addition to the All-Shore First and Second teams, the Shore Coaches also selected All-Division squads.

A North Second Team honors went to Ashley Healy, Howell. Justine Stevenson of Jackson earned First Team A South honors. Moving to the B Division, Brown and SJV teammate Courtney Calderon top the First Team. Linette Johnson, Lakewood, was named to the Second Team B South squad.

On the boys side, Simms tops the A South First Team, while Toms River East’s Rich Hussey; Pat Przyblowski, Brick Memorial; and Jackson’s Ryan Mogila were the other First Teamers.

Second Team honors went to Tony Boone, Jackson. Lakewood’s Chris Smith was a B South First Team selections, while finding a spot on the Second Team was his teammate, Derryck Alexander.