Greenwich High Gymnasts Look to Dominate Yet Again

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The Greenwich High School gymnastics team will be looking to keep the good times rolling this season and repeat last year's success, which means another FCIAC and CIAC class L championship. (John Ferris Robben photo)
The Greenwich High School gymnastics team will be looking to keep the good times rolling this season and repeat last year’s success, which means another FCIAC and CIAC class L championship. (John Ferris Robben photo)

By Paul Silverfarb
Sentinel Editor

Last season was one that head coach Sue Knight and the rest of the Greenwich High School gymnastics team won’t soon forget.

Top individual performances, an elusive FCIAC championship, a state trophy and an appearance in the New England championship were highlights—not to mention an undefeated regular season.

Basically, it’s something the GHS gymnastics program hasn’t seen. But with a plethora of returning talent and some solid depth on the roster, Knight and the Lady Cardinals are once again dreaming big.

“Last season was amazing,” GHS senior captain Jess Freiheit said. “I never expected that would happen, but we had a really strong team and we really excelled. Everything worked out the way it should have and it was really excited. I am also so happy for our coach because she’s been with the team since forever. So it’s a really special group of girls and I’m happy with what we did.”

After the undefeated regular season last season, Greenwich entered the FCIAC championships and took home the gold with 143.00 points. It was the first FCIAC title for Big Red in gymnastics since 1982.

From there, it was on to a history-making performance at Pomperaug High School. During the CIAC class L championships, Greenwich came away with its first-ever state title, netting 140.425 points. Southington was a distant second with 134.450 points.

At the CIAC state open finals, Greenwich took home second overall and qualified for the New England championships. In total, it was obviously a season other teams dream of.

“It’s very nice, and I couldn’t be happier for the girls,” Knight said. “These girls worked so hard for it. I am just happy for them. I think there must be some extra pressure on us because everybody wants to do better than they did last year. And it’s not that easy to do. I think they feel the pressure more but I know they will be able to handle it.”

Freiheit also believes the team will keep the pressure under control.

“We try not to focus on all the pressure and thinking that we need to do this and that,” the captain said. “We just realize that every tenth counts. We try to set individual goals. Even the smallest things, like sticking a landing better than the previous time or working together as a team and being really supportive, make us come together as a team.”

Leading the way this season for Big Red will be Freiheit.

“It’s really exciting to be here, especially considering the amazing season we had last year,” Freiheit said. “We were undefeated and it was the first time in many decades that we won FCIACs. I am excited to be back and we have a great group of girls, so I am hoping we can accomplish everything we did last year.”

The Greenwich High School gymnastics team takes to the Greenwich YWCA for practice Tuesday night. (John Ferris Robben photo)
The Greenwich High School gymnastics team takes to the Greenwich YWCA for practice Tuesday night. (John Ferris Robben photo)

Despite an injury that is sidelining the captain early this season, Knight said that she should be ready to go shortly and help the Cardinals.

“She is always so good with the kids and is always encouraging,” Knight said. “I feel bad for her right now. Last year she was hurt and this year she was hurt, but she’s an outstanding captain and leads a great example for the kids. She’s a great at all-around.”

Also returning this season will be junior Adnerys DeJesus and that’s not good news for the rest of the state. DeJesus put on a clinic during her sophomore season. She won every individual event at FCIAC and took home the all-around title with a score of 38.500, the only person on the day to score 38 or higher.

In fact, during the FCIAC championship meet last year that was held at Johnathan Law High School, she was the last competitor on the floor routine and the entire gymnasium was watching. Whether it was fellow competitors and fans in the crowd or other athletes that were competing on other apparatus, every one stopped to watch DeJesus’ jaw-dropping performance.

“It was a great moment and she handles all that so well,” Knight said. “She’s really fun to watch and makes it look so easy. But as any coach knows, or any of her teammates know, it’s not that easy.”

Yet again at the CIAC class LL finals, DeJesus finished tops in every event and once again grabbed top individual honors. During the CIAC Opens, DeJesus took second in the all-around with a score of 37.925.

“She means everything for us,” Knight said. “She did such a wonderful job last year. We went to New Englands and she came in first there. It’s fun to watch her. She really set the bar high last year and a lot is going to be expected from her this year, but she is a great girl and is a really talented gymnast. I am sure she’s going to do just as good, or even better than last year.”

In addition to DeJesus and Freiheit, sophomore Kelsey Fedorko will be looked upon for some key performances.

During last year’s FCIAC finals, Fedorko finished third in the all-around, posting a score of 36.550. On the beam, Fedorko claimed second overall with a score of 9.300. She took third on both the floor exercise and bars.

“I think she has a couple of new skills this year and should improve on her already impressive season last year,” Knight said.

Gianna Cardini, another sophomore, was a key to the team’s success last year. Despite an early season injury this year, Knight believes she will be back to form shortly for Big Red. Another veteran, junior Valerie Cella, will be looked upon to compete all-around this season.

Newcomers Allie Trotman, a freshman, will be another all-around athlete and already has scored over 31 points in her first meet. Fellow freshman Nika Sibley will also be an all-around athlete for the Lady Cardinals, as will Jessica Freiheit’s sister, freshman Juliet Freiheit.

For the first time since the early 80's, the Greenwich High School gymnastics team celebrates an FCIAC championship. (Paul Silverfarb photo)
For the first time since the early 80’s, the Greenwich High School gymnastics team celebrates an FCIAC championship. (Paul Silverfarb photo)

In addition, sophomore Syrah Perrin and her freshman sister, Celine Perrin, will be key contributors for Greenwich this season. Freshman Valeria Romeo will compete on the floor and beam.

“This year we really have some depth,” Knight said. “It’s wonderful to be able to have that flexibility. But everybody needs to stay healthy. We have a good mix of girls. It’s so much fun to coach the team. They are so respectful and hard working. They go over, work and it’s great. They are really focused and have a great desire to improve.”

Despite the pressure on the girls after quite the memorable season last year, Knight believes the expectations on the team haven’t changed.

“The girls did great last year and are going to do just as well this year I hope,” Knight said. “I would like to see them do a little better. I would like them to learn some harder skills and improve on their routines from last year.”

So far, so good for Greenwich High. Although they were defeated yesterday afternoon to push their overall mark to 1-1 on the young season, the Lady Cardinals upended Staples High School, 128.7 to 125.6 in the season-opener.

Once again it was DeJesus that dominated the competition, taking the all-around title with a score of 38.05. On vault she grabbed a score of 9.3, while taking a 9.7 on bars. During beam she netted a 9.65 and on floor DeJesus finished with a 9.4.

Not to be outdone was Cardini, who took third in all-around scoring with 33.15. She tied GHS teammate Trotman for second on bars with an 8.3 and had the same score during the floor exercise. Cardini placed third on beams with a score of 8.6.

In addition to her performance on bars, Trotman also competed on the floor exercise and took home a third-place score of 8.2.

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