Gymnasts in the News
STATE COACHES INDIVIDUAL GIRLS' GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIP
Masconomet’s Bella Misiura floors it to win all-around title at state coaches individual girls’ gymnastics championship
By Kat Cornetta Globe Correspondent,Updated February 21, 2022, 6:48 p.m.
Masconomet’s Bella Misiura (left), Franklin’s Emma White (center) and Reading’s Sophia Isbell (right) accepts their trophies and medals for all-around during the state coaches girls' gymnastics championships at Tewksbury High. Misiura finished first, White was second and Isbell was third.ERIN CLARK/GLOBE STAFF/ERIN CLARK
TEWKSBURY — The high school gymnastics community has been buzzing the past two years over the emergence of Masconomet sophomore Bella Misiura and Franklin senior Emma White. Due to the pandemic, Misiura and her two-time state champion Masconomet teammates had not had the opportunity to face Franklin, which jumped into the spotlight last winter thanks to White’s high-level gymnastics.
Misiura and White’s first all-around high school battle at Monday afternoon’s Massachusetts High School Gymnastics Coaches State Individual Championships at Tewksbury High School lived up to expectations.
The title came down to the last event, floor exercise. Both completed difficult double back tumbling passes, Misiura’s front tumbling was the difference-maker, earning her a 9.575 score that gave her the title over White, 38.275 to 38.125.
“I was a little nervous at first,” said Misiura of her clinching floor performance. “I was like, ‘You have to be confident and stay confident.’”
Misiura’s Yurchenko layout half vault also earned her the vault title. She added the balance beam title thanks to her clean routine that scored a 9.5.
“My favorite event today was definitely vault,” Misiura said. “This year vault has been one of my highest scoring events.”
White also had a stellar day. She opened her meet with a Yurchenko layout vault that had great distance on its landing, earning a 9.45. She followed with an uneven bars routine that captured the title on that event, and tied for second on balance beam.
It was White’s first time competing at a state-wide high school competition, and she was happy to get the experience in advance of Saturday’s South sectional meet at Algonquin.
“It gave me a warmup on everything, especially on vault, because it will be a harder landing,” said White. “It definitely gives me a good feel for things.”
The highest-ranked returner from the 2020 edition of the meet, Reading junior Sophia Isbell, picked up from where she left off during her freshman campaign. She finished third with a 37.9, finishing in the top four on all four apparatus, earning a 9.4 on her incredibly high and powerful dismount on her uneven bars routine.
Misiura’s freshman teammate, Meri Brandt, finished fourth, thanks to a lofty double pike that opened her floor exercise. She won the apparatus title with a 9.775, her highest score during her 37.725 all-around effort.
With pristine technique, Marblehead/Swampscott’s Maeve Mcllroy was one of the breakout stars of the meet. One of the first gymnasts ever to earn a spot in the meet from her co-op program, Mcllroy finished fifth with a 36.875.
Misiura rises to the challenge, wins State Coaches Gymnastics championship
TEWKSBURY, MA.- MasconometÕs Bella Misiura competes on the uneven bars during the MIAA State Individual All Around competition at Tewksbury Memorial High School on February 21, 2022 in Tewksbury, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
By TOM MULHERIN | tmulheri@gmail.com | Boston Herald
PUBLISHED: February 21, 2022 at 7:56 p.m. | UPDATED: February 21, 2022 at 8:28 p.m.
TEWKSBURY – It came down to the same final event to decide the Massachusetts High School Gymnastics Coaches State All-Around Championships at Tewksbury Memorial High School on Monday, but Masconomet sophomore Bella Misiura stepped up to the challenge.
Leading by just 0.1 points over Franklin’s Emma White, Misiura watched White deliver a standout, 9.550 score in her floor routine before delivering a 9.575 herself to secure the title. Her 38.275 points was just enough to get past White’s second-place 38.125, using top scores in two of the four events to outlast a competitive field that saw Reading’s Sophia Isbell finish third (37.9) and Misiura’s teammate Meri Brandt take fourth (37.275).
“It feels very good because I didn’t get to do it last year,” Misiura said. “I was a little nervous at first (going into the floor event), but then I (said), ‘Just have to be confident and stay calm.’ I was so proud of myself.”
While her efforts on the floor proved the most clutch, it wasn’t even the sophomore’s best event. She took second to Brandt’s meet-best score of 9.775 on the mat.
Instead, Misiura thrived on the vault (9.7) and the beam (9.5), where no other gymnast outperformed her. She did about as well on the bars (9.5), but White (9.650) and Framingham’s Olivia Lane (9.550) outdid her.
“Today (my best) was definitely vault,” she said. “This year, vault has been one of my highest-scoring events.”
With Misiura and White on the same rotation, the meet was just about as suspenseful as it could get. The Masconomet star started hot with the 9.7 on the vault compared to White’s 9.450, only for White to take the top score on the bars. Misiura’s efforts on the beam just barely edged the Franklin standout’s (9.475), setting up the floor decider.
Isbell rocked a different circuit, taking the fourth spot in all four events as a model of consistency. Her best score was on the floor (9.550).
Marblehead/Swampscott’s Maeve McIlroy looked to be a contender for the crown most of the way, putting up a 9.575 on the vault and a 9.475 on the floor, but her 8.550 rate on the beam slid her down to a fifth-place finish.
Maggie Murphy of Westford Academy (9.6 vault) and Sam Bartlett of Lowell (9.475 beam) also stood out on individual events.
ALL-AROUND Bella Misiura, Masconomet, 38.275 Emma White, Franklin, 38.125 Sophia Isbell, Reading, 37.900 Meri Brandt, Masconomet, 37.275 Maeve McIlroy, Marblehead/Swampscott, 36.875 Shea Larkee, Norwood, 36.675 Gabriella Bresnick, Andover, 36.575 Maggie Murphy, Westford Academy, 36.550 Mia Gorman, Algonquin, 36.125 Emily Schoen, Newton South, 36.025
MIAA SECTIONAL GIRLS' GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Masconomet, Franklin are beaming after capturing girls’ gymnastics sectional championships
By Kat Cornetta Globe Correspondent,Updated February 26, 2022, 9:09 p.m.
NORTHBOROUGH — Masconomet was down an important part of its lineup Saturday, but it didn’t faze the defending North girls’ gymnastics champion.
Missing talented freshman Fallon Eberhardt because of injury, the top seed nonetheless prevailed, winning the North championship with a score of 147.25 at Algonquin Regional. The upstart Wilmington/Bedford co-op finished second with a score of 145.075.
Masconomet’s dynamic duo of Bella Misiura and Meri Brandt led the way, finishing first and second, respectively, in the all-around standings. Their balance beam rotation was especially impressive, and it opened up Masconomet’s lead over Wilmington/Bedford. Misiura gave an incredible performance, with a split leap-switch leap combination, a back handspring-layout step-out, and a side somersault. She earned the highest score of the afternoon, a 9.75.
As usual, Masconomet dazzled on floor exercise, with Misiura and Brandt going back-to-back to close out the meet. Brandt’s 9.725 was the sectional’s top floor exercise score.Sign Up
“They had amazing meets, both of them,” Masconomet coach Alicia Gomes Miffitt said. “They were solid competitors. When things didn’t go right ahead of them, they still put on their game face and did their job.”
Wilmington/Bedford wasn’t even slated to compete this season, eying a 2022-23 start, but forged ahead to get experience. Thanks to the skills of Emily Provost, who finished fifth in the all-around with a 37.3, that experience will now feature an appearance in next week’s state championships.
“It is a fairy tale,” coach Kristen Hannon said. “We couldn’t have asked them to do any more than what they did today. We are so happy that the team was started this year.”
With a powerful lineup, Reading (143.275) took third despite a few bobbles. Sophia Isbell scored 9.7 on her stellar Yurchenko vault for the Rockets.
Burlington earned the final spot in next week’s state meet with a 142.7. Sophomore Ava Schenck Davis closed out the Red Devils’ day on floor exercise, and her spot-on tumbling earned a 9.525.
In the morning South sectional, Franklin squeaked out a win over Framingham, 145.175 to 143.95, to capture its first sectional title. Senior Emma White ruled the day for the Panthers, finishing first on all four apparatus, including a 9.775 on a clean balance beam routine and a 9.575 on her floor exercise, which closed out the meet. She won the all-around with a 38.6.
Olivia Lane’s all-around 37.65 lifted fourth-seeded Framingham to second place overall, bettering the Flyers’ average team score of the season by six-tenths of a point.
Longtime powerhouse Bridgewater-Raynham/West Bridgewater is headed back to the state championship meet for the sixth straight time after finishing third with a 140.1. Katie Russo was key, earning third in the all-around with a 37.35. The co-op of Groton-Dunstable, Littleton, North Middlesex and Concord-Carlisle earned fourth with a 139.375.
MIAA North Championship
at Algonquin
Team results — 1. Masconomet, 147.25; 2. Wilmington, 145.075; 3. Reading, 143.275; 4. Burlington, 142.700; 5. Andover, 138.675; 6. Central Catholic, 138.435; 7. Westford, 137.725; 8. Winthrop, 135.225; 9. Newton South, 134.900; 10. Agawam, 134.150.
MIAA South Championship
at Algonquin
Team results — 1. Franklin, 145.175; 2. Framingham, 143.960; 3. Bridgewater-Raynham, 140.100; 4. Groton-Dunstable, 139.375; 5. Medfield, 139.350; 6. Oliver Ames, 139.025; 7. Norton, 135.875; 8. Medway, 135.800; 9. Attleboro, 135.300; 10. Barnstable, 134.175.
All-scholastics
Katelyn Aylwin
MASCONOMET | SENIOR
The North sectional all-around champion (38.475; season-best 9.65 to win on bars) placed second at
the state individual championship before finishing second on floor (9.5) to help the Chieftains to their
first state title. The four-year honor roll student will attend Endicott.
HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASTICS
At Masconomet Regional, girls’ gymnasts team is a level above
Gracy Mowers trains at the Yellow Jackets Gymnastics Club in Middleton year-round.
But entering high school, she was determined to also compete for the girls’ gymnastics team at Masconomet Regional.
And to accomplish that goal, she knew that she would have to lobby those around her who might be leery of anything detouring her path to a college roster.
“I had to do a little convincing,” acknowledged the Masco junior, the Globe’s two-time Gymnast of the Year.
Mowers competes at Level 10, a level of talent that rarely makes it on to a high school mat.
The intense nature of club gymnastics, and the risk of injury due to the physical toll of demanding practices, even slightly improper technique, and subpar equipment, can make gymnastics clubs wary of letting their top athletes compete in high school.
The 16-year-old Mowers averages 22 hours per week practicing with her club during the school year, with an additional 4½ to 6 hours of practice — plus typically one meet per week — with Masconomet. Mowers said in the summer club gymnasts practice 24 hours per week, or more.
But with the backing of her mother, Jana (Reardon) Mowers — a 2014 inductee into the athletic hall of fame as a gymnast at the University of New Hampshire, who is also a coach with the Yellow Jackets — Gracy joined the Masco program as a freshman.
Last winter, as a sophomore, Mowers helped lead the Chieftains to their first MIAA championship.
“A lot of clubs won’t allow [dual participation],” Masconomet coach Alicia Gomes said.
“I think Gracy [doing high school] is one of the ones who has brought it back. Now there are more and more Level 10s doing high school. It shows you can do both. You just have to be smart about it.”
Gomes said that includes tailoring the high school regimen to allow for gymnasts whose bodies are already taking their share of pounding in practice.
“We always did [club/high school],” said Gomes, who starred at the University of New Hampshire after graduating from Beverly High in 1997.
“The biggest thing is injury. If kids are getting injured because they are doing it too much then that’s huge.”
Knowing the busy schedule that Mowers keeps, the Masconomet coaches have been flexible with her training. “There are days when they don’t push as much,” said Mowers, who has also committed to UNH. “I look at it as it is a lot of fun. Club gymnastics is a lot on your body and your brain. High school gymnastics is kind of a release.”
Sophomore Emma Quirk, the defending state champion on the balance beam, is also a Level 10 gymnast at Yellow Jackets. She joined the team at Masconomet after being home-schooled from fourth to eighth grade.
“Some of my friends from the gym said joining the team would be a great way to meet more people,” Quirk said. “Gymnastics was already something I was doing all the time. It turned out to be a great experience and something I am going to keep doing.”
Senior Catherine DiNanno, a two-year captain and reigning state champion in the floor exercise, had cut back on her club training due to injuries. For her, the atmosphere, and success, of the Masco program has been invigorating.
“I fell in love with high school gymnastics just like I fell in love with the sport when I was little,” said DiNanno, who has been a gymnast for 16 years.
For Masconomet, the combination of elite talent and team enthusiasm has been a recipe for success this winter once again.
The Chieftains, who edged Mansfield, 148.975-146.65 in last year’s MIAA final, racked up 149.4 points in their opening meet against Bishop Fenwick on Dec. 22. Through Sunday, Masco has scored at least 144 points with varying lineups in five straight wins.
“Being a defending state champion is a bit nerve-racking sometimes because we want to live up to our title and hopefully keep it up for this year,” DiNanno said.
“Winning States did give the team confidence, but we are still working hard in the gym. To defend our title all it takes is hard work, support, and determination, and Masco gymnastics has all of those aspects.”
Gomes said that dedication was clear through their offseason work, including how much Quirk has improved her floor and vault routines to complement her championship skill on the beam — often considered the sport’s most trying event.
“A lot of people stress out during it because it’s easy to fall off the beam,” Quirk said.
“But for me, it’s always been easier to focus and hone in on what I have to do in the routine while staying on it. We all try to keep positive, and not get too stressed out about the wins.”
Capable of scores like ones the Chieftains have put up the first month of the season, Mowers said it will come down to execution at Sectionals on Feb. 22 and States on Feb. 29 as they eye the repeat.
“We have the physical ability to do it,” Mowers said. “It’s a matter of whether we will be mentally focused enough. We’ll see how it goes. But so far, so good.”
Scott Souza can be reached at ScottSouza@journalist.com.
Athletes of the Year
Gracy Mowers
DIVISION 1: MASCONOMET | SOPHOMORE
The repeat Gymnast of the Year was the state vault (9.825) and floor (9.6) champion as the Chieftains
won their first state title. The Level 10 gymnast and Junior National Honor Society member won vault
(9.8) at the North sectional.
By Scott Souza Globe Correspondent,January 23, 2020, 3:53 p.m.
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JARED CHARNEY PHOTOS MASCONOMET'S NICOLE BONACORSO GETS READY TO DO A FLIP DURING SATURDAY'S CAPE ANN LEAGUE/NORTHEAST
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
CAT DINANNO OF MASCONOMET FLIPS IN THE AIR DURING SATURDAY'S CAPE ANN LEAGUE/NORTHEAST
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP MEET AT YELLOW JACKETS IN MIDDLETON JARED CHARNEY PHOTO
GYMNASTICS
Cape Ann League/Northeastern Conference Meet: Junior captain Nicole Bonacorso was victorious in both the vault (9.4) and uneven bars (9.2) to highlight an excellent showing for Masconomet Saturday night. Another junior captain, Cat DiNanno, took home the top score on floor exercises (9.65) for the Chieftains as well. Senior Katelyn Aylwin was second on vault (9.3) and teammate Kyra Flak, a junior, was second on bars (9.0).
Allie Taylor of Danvers finished first in the all around with a score of 35.95; she placed first on beam (9.3) and was second on floor exercises. Brandi DiCiccio of Winthrop was second in the all-around, followed by Marblehead’s Kate Ehrenberg in third.
Taylor Howard of Essex Tech finished second on the beam, with Beverly’s Keegan Richardson finishing third on the floor exercises and Jordan Allen of Marblehead placing third on bars.
HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASTICS
Masconomet gymnasts keep winning —
and cheering each other on
JIM DAVIS/GLOBE STAFF
Members of the Masconomet High School gymnastics team practice at the Yellow Jackets Gymnastics Club.
By Alex Bensley GLOBE CORRESPONDENT JANUARY 18, 2019
Some teams strive for perfection. Others emphasize winning above all. But for the Masconomet girls’ gymnastics team, the only recipe is putting forth one’s best effort and having fun.
The team is 3-0 so far and is one of the best programs in the state, with three Level 10 athletes and several others just a notch or two below. Many of the girls participate in competitive gymnastics throughout the year.
But it’s not just the talent that makes this group special. It’s character, personality, all of the positive vibes associated with a close-knit team.
“I think we have a lot of fun together,” senior captain Danielle Tremblay said. We really have a good spirit, we’re always cheering for each other. We’re the loudest team out there.”
It’s a Tuesday night at the Yellow Jackets Gymnastics Club in Middleton, the practice location for gymnasts from the Yellow Jackets club, Danvers High School, and Masconomet Regional High School. The Masconomet girls are sectioned off in their corner of the gym.
They begin their warm-up, casually jogging around in a circle on the floor, led by Tremblay. Then they sit in a circle, planning their next spirit day.
This is not a regular practice, however. Instead of going off into different sections of the gym to hone their routine, the girls convene to watch and score each other. While one gymnast braves the pressure, the others both judge and provide support from below.
The girls are divided into groups of three, and each group assigns the gymnast a score. The two coaches score the athlete, too.
It’s essentially a mock meet, according to volunteer coach Jana Mowers, whose daughter Gracy is on the team.
“In practice lately things have been going really great but then we get to meets and we get a little bit nervous,” Mowers said. “So I feel like today we get some pressure sets done [and] that might help us in our meets this weekend.”
Yet even as the gymnasts score each other, they provide unwavering support.
As Katelyn Aylwin takes to the beam her teammates cheer her on, encouraging her to take a risk. Mowers and head coach Alicia Gomes pay close attention while also offering vocal encouragement.
“I just love the atmosphere of everything,” said Aylwin, a senior who is new to the program. “Everyone will still cheer no matter what happens.”
The support rings loud and clear for all Masconomet gymnasts. If an athlete falls, it’s OK; teammates have each other’s backs. If an athlete looks tense, the extra words of wisdom and encouragement work wonders.
“We’re always working for the team, we’re doing everything we can to make the team the best, it’s not all about oneself, which makes you cheer each other on,” said Gracy Mowers, a sophomore.
The 24-member team includes top gymnasts such as Mowers, Aylwin and her sister,sophomore Sarah Aylwin, freshman Emma Quirk, junior Krya Flak, junior Nicole Bonacorsco, and junior Cat DiNanno.
But for this group of girls, there’s a greater focus on the team.
“The cool thing is how they mesh together,” Gomes said. “They’re 100 percent behind each other; they don’t care who’s first, who’s last. None of that is important to them. They’re having fun together, enjoying the process. We’re not trying to do this perfectionist thing where we’re afraid to fail.”
The girls have been given that message by Gomes, who has years of experience. The Masconomet coach placed second at states her freshman year at Beverly High School and was named the Boston Globe gymnast of the year.
Jana Mowers, who competed at Peabody High School, was also named Boston Globe gymnast of the year. Her husband, Mark, starred on the ice at the University of New Hampshire and later played seven years in the National Hockey League, include the 2006-07 season with the Bruins.
To have coaches with such valuable experience makes a difference.
“It’s awesome, they help me through everything,” Aylwin said. “I’ve grown up with both of their girls. Being at the gym and knowing them my entire gymnastics career has helped so much because they’ve seen me grow.”
The team hosts Danvers on Sunday, Jan. 20, for senior night. Then it competes in three more meets before the postseason competition begins in mid-February.
Gomes said the team has the talent to win states, no question. But that’s not her message for the group.
“I don’t want them to go out and compete afraid to mess up, I want them to enjoy what they’re doing,” Gomes said.
Alex Bensley can reached at alex.bensley@globe.com.
(Newton, MA 02/09/18) Sam Arber of Newton on the Pommel Horse during the MIAA Boys Gymnastics State Championship held at Newton North High School in Newton on Friday, February 9, 2018. Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki
December 20, 2018 at 9:04 am
High school gymnastics preview: Masconomet/
Lynnfield gunning for the top spot
Success is contagious. That’s what the Masconomet/Lynnfield girls gymnastics co-op is finding as they begin their winter season.
Last year, thanks to the stellar gymnastics of state championships all-around winner Gracy Mowers, the team returned to the postseason. The now-sophomore’s incredible skills helped her team to a third-place finish.
When signups began for this season, gymnasts came out of the woodwork, according to new coach Alicia Gomes Miffitt — and not just any gymnasts. Gymnasts just like Mowers, who compete at club Levels 9 and 10, which are the highest levels a gymnast can compete below elite. Mowers’ success on the high school level went hand-in-hand with a career year on the club level, and it made a strong statement.
“Gracy is the center of this,” Gomes Miffitt said. “She is such a successful gymnast in high school and club. It’s hard for club coaches to allow their gymnasts to do high school gymnastics. I mean, I was a club coach, and you worry about allowing kids to do high school gymnastics because of the fear of getting injured and it just being too much for them. She proved that you can do both, you can be successful.”
That was enough to get high-level club gymnasts Katelyn Aylwin, Sarah Aylwin and Emma Quirk all out to compete in high school gymnastics for the first time. They will join junior Herald All-Scholastic Nicole Bonacorso, Mowers and more to put together a lineup that will be one of the strongest in the state.
But the two-time defending state champions will put up just as strong of a fight. Bridgewater-Raynham/West Bridgewater is reloading with even more talented freshmen, while returning four upperclassmen standouts in Olivia Keyes, Olivia Kmito, Kara Devereaux and Alison Silva.
“Winning states the past two years and New Englands last year is what is motivating the girls every day,” coach Stephen Cudworth said. “It’s all about the team. Each girl has each other’s back.”
Mansfield returns a core that vaulted them to the top of the South sectional last season. Julia Hill, Lily Goulding and Erin Hurley have the consistency and skills that could have the Hornets contending for the state title for a third straight season.
Elsewhere in the South, expect Oliver Ames to make a giant climb. The Tigers return both junior Lauren Picanzi and senior Gianna Martucci, who are capable of scoring well. With one of the largest squads in the South, Pembroke/Silver Lake also could make a big jump. While they did not make South sectionals last winter, they return a top 10 all-around gymnast in Pembroke senior Morgan Hackett. Longtime state contender Medfield/Ashland/Dover-Sherborn returns several key pieces and will be in the hunt again.
After poorly timed illness derailed its 2017 campaign, defending North champion Readinglived up to their lofty expectations in 2018. The Rockets continue to draw gymnasts with stellar fundamentals, and should be a leader in the North again.
Bolstered by a young lineup last year, Newton South will continue to be a factor in both the Dual County League and the North. Pulling from its strong connection to the local YMCA programs, Melrose always is in the hunt, especially behind solid performances from junior Katie Wright. Danvers did not qualify for North sectionals last season, but many believe that several additions to their lineup will have them battling Masconomet/Lynnfield in the NEC/CAL this season.
On the boys side, Newton again is the class of the field. Attleboro and Braintree both return several key gymnasts that should also help them contend come the state championships in February.
Boston Globe 2017-2018 Gymnastics All-Stars
Athletes of the Year
Gracy Mowers
DIVISION 1: MASCONOMET | FRESHMAN
The newcomer placed first on the floor exercise (9.70), second on vault (9.675), and third on beam (9.50) to take the all-around title at the state meet with a score of 38.00. She went on to finish fifth all-around at New Englands.
All-scholastics
Nicole Bonacorso
MASCONOMET | SOPHOMORE
The sophomore finished third in the all-around at the North Sectional led by a second-place score of 9.325 on the floor exercise. After helping Masco/Lynnfield to third at states, she placed ninth on the uneven bars at New Englands.
NICOLE BONACORSO
MASCONOMET/LYNNFIELD
A standout on this year’s impressive Masconomet/Lynnfield squad, this sophomore from Middleton tied for eighth in the all-around at the State Championships, while helping her team finish third, their best placement in years. Her 9.225 on floor exercise at the State Individual All-Around Meet earned her third place in a tightly-scored event. The Cape Ann League All-Star also earned the league title in fall cheerleading.
GRACY MOWERS
MASCONOMET/LYNNFIELD
It is difficult to top a rookie season like the Masconomet freshman had. Mowers won the all-around at State Individuals, North sectionals and the State Championships. Her season-high scores are 9.5 or above on every single apparatus, including a sky-high 9.8 on vault. She was named the CAL/NEC MVP. In the midst of a busy high school season, Mowers also found time to capture the Level 9 club state championship, qualifying her to the National Championships.
