BROCKTON — The defending Massachusetts State Champion Barnstable High gymnasts (15-0) stuck another feather in their cap last night when they captured the program’s 16th straight league or conference title with an incredible score of 147.25, just one point from matching the state record.
For the 16th straight season, the defending state champion Barnstable High gymnasts were crowned Cranberry Conference Champions yesterday afternoon, on top of a field of eight teams.
Photo courtesy of Jillian Pacheco
Barnstable set the state meet record on January 31, 2008 against Carver/Sacred Heart with a score of 148.25.
But last night at Spectrum Gymnastics, all talents were focused on finishing with the highest marks among the eight teams on hand and the Red & White came through brilliantly once again.
While Bridgewater-Raynham captain Isabella Antonangeli took first place in the All-Around, Barnstable junior Alexa Wilson picked up key points with her second place score of 36.55. Fellow Red Raider junior Kayla Myrbeck turned in an all-around score of 35.9 for fourth place and again, the Red & White picked up valuable points toward the title.
In the vault, Barnstable clearly dominated, with Hayley Myrbeck knocking down a first place finish with her stellar point tally of 9.6, followed by 9.4-performances from sophomore Lauren Hansen and Hayley’s twin-sister Kayla Myrbeck.
The uneven bars competition proved intense, to say the least, as two Red Raiders — Jillian Fraser and Abbey Chetwynd — tied for first place along with Falmouth/Mashpee’s Michael Canatelli with their 9.2 scores. Hansen nabbed second place with a 9.0.
For weeks now, Barnstable High assistant coach Jillian Pacheco has bemoaned the Red Raiders’ only true weak spot — the balance beam — but yesterday those weeks in between trying to improve paid off as Fraser and Hansen finished in first and second place, respectively, with scores of 9.05 and 9.0.
Barnstable sealed the title in the meet’s final competition — the floor routine.
The gifted Tali Twomey led the way, bringing home the first place spot with her score of 9.7. She was followed by Hayley Myrbeck in second place (9.05) and Fraser in third at 9.0.
Red Raider senior co-captain Jackie Hansen was awarded the Cranberry Conference Sportsmanship Award following the presentation of the championship trophy and the following Red Raiders were named Cranberry Conference All-Stars for 2014-15, based one their season average scores as noted below:
All-Around
1. Tali Twomey 36.525
2. Lauren Hansen 36.4
Vault
1. Hayley Myrbeck 9.725
2. Kayla Myrbeck 9.625
3. Abbey Chetwynd 9.375
Bars
3. Alexa Wilson 9.2875
Beam
1. Jillian Fraser 9.0625
2. Jackie Hansen 8.75
Barnstable will find out Thursday which individual gymnasts will move on to the MIAA State Individual Championships set for Sunday, Feb. 15. Following that event, the Red Raider team will compete for the Division 1 South Sectional Championship on Saturday, Feb. 21.
— Sean Walsh is the sports editor for www.capecod.com. His email is [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @coachwalshccbm
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