Port Gymnasts Win Final Meet; Finish 6-3

In an emotional farewell meet for Port Washington's senior gymnasts, the Vikings prevailed against Great Neck South to finish their season 6-3, good for a third-place tie with Long Beach in Conference II.  The score of Tuesday’s meet, held at , was 136.95 to 123.0.

Melissa Havern, completing her first season as head coach, was ecstatic with the victory.  “Today they performed beautifully, they really gave it their all,” she said afterwards.  Havern said that the team's season goal had been to achieve a 6-3 record, and coming out on top against the talented squad from Great Neck South made it memorable.

Olivia Foye, reflecting on the season, said that the two highlights for her were the victory over Cold Spring Harbor, and now, “watching our seniors compete their last meet.”

Two of those seniors are captains Sherry Kim and Dorothy Kim.  They specialize in the balance beam, as well as encouraging and inspiring their younger teammates.

“It was definitely fun and exciting to be captains,” Sherry said, “we learned a lot about being leaders.”  Dorothy zeroed on the meet itself, her last with Port.  “It was a really good meet,” she said, “Everyone tried their hardest, and I think it was our best meet.”

One of the gymnasts who made that happen was freshman Liz Wolf.  She began the year by winning the vault; the only event she competed in in the season opener.  At the time, though, she said vault is not even her best event – floor is.  On Tuesday she demonstrated.

Wolf’s powerful tumbling earned her an 8.4 on her floor routine, the high mark of the meet.

When it was over, Wolf shared her impressions of her freshman year.  “Everyone was so welcoming,” she said of her teammates.  “I will definitely be back next year, and will try to improve all my events.”  Her goal for next year, she said, is to qualify for the state championships.

If she gets better than she is now – and she is determined to do just that – New York State will see a fine gymnast next season.

Although Port’s official season is now over, they will compete in an invitational meet in New Hyde Park on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m.