Port Gymnasts Overcome Adversity

Hit hard by the injury bug early in the season, Port Washington's gymnastics team enters its final two meets with a chance to finish above .500 in Conference II thanks to a number of impressive performers.

"I'm proud of our team," said coach Jeannine Fallon, who saw sophomore Candace Yap suffer a broken leg in the first meet, senior Jessie Stoval go down with a torn ACL in the second meet, and freshman Emily Hack break two fingers in the fourth meet. "A lot of girls stepped up to the plate after injuries set us back. Some started competing in events they never did before."

Though the Lady Vikings (3-4) take a three-meet losing streak into Friday's home contest against Wantagh at 5 p.m., they're coming off a season-high 133.75-point effort in a loss at South Side, which scored 143.75, on Jan. 21. "I was very happy with it," Fallon said of the score.

Senior Alix Grossman, a varsity veteran, scored 8.1 on balance beam and 7.7 on vault to lead the way. If she can hit 8.1 on beam in each of the last two meets, she'll advance to the state qualifier meet on Feb. 11 at Bethpage. "Alix is consistent on beam, vault and floor exercise," Fallon said. "As a captain, along with Taylor [Wilsey], she has been a role model for the younger kids."

Wilsey, a senior, recently returned to action after suffering an abdomen injury. Coach Fallon said she excels on bars, and in her absence sophomore Jessica Medaglia paced the team in the event and scored 5.65 against South Side. Medaglia also has a 7.8 on vault on her resume. "Jessica's a well-rounded gymnast with solid execution," Fallon said.

Sophomore Carolyn Nevins had a 7.6 on vault on Jan. 21, while freshman Ashley Berliner (7.3) and Medaglia (7.2) performed well on floor. Freshman Carly Grieco contributed a 7.5 on beam and junior Sherry Kim added a 7.3.

Port Washington's previous high score of 126.45 came in a victory over Great Neck South on Jan. 6. It also defeated Roslyn and Great Neck North at home, scoring 122.4 and 125.9, respectively. Additional contributors have been sophomores Gabrie Davidoff and Sloane Nguyen and freshman Lani Hack.

"We've survived even with three or four girls out," Fallon said. "The hard work and perseverance of all the girls has made for a successful season."

The Lady Vikings conclude the season on Feb. 2 when Garden City visits for a 5 p.m. start. Home meets are held at Sousa Elementary School.