There’s just no slowing down Masconomet Regional

NORTHBOROUGH >> Riding a streak of four straight state titles kept the bar raised high for the Masconomet gymnastics team this season, but that wouldn’t take meaning away from yet another strong performance Saturday night in the MIAA North sectionals at Algonquin.

Behind senior star Bella Misiura’s typical dose of well-rounded success, and a top-five all-around finish from Fallon Eberhardt, the Chieftains took home the sectional title with a 149.925 finish.

Misiura’s run of consecutive North all-around individual championships was broken up by Danvers/ Lynnfield’s Kaylee Wescott (38.725), but she was second (38.625) by scoring the highest on three apparatus. The Penn State-bound standout still is looking forward to competing for another state title, but valued closing out her career with a win in this meet.

“It’s really important for me and Kenna (Miyazaki), the seniors,” she said. “We’re just excited to compete here and compete again next, and hopefully we can win that, too.”

Part of the appeal was edging out a bit of a rival in Central Catholic, which took second (147.200) in the meet after winning the North last year.

Danvers/Lynnfield came in third (145.500) and Wilmington/Bedford finished fourth (139.775) to round out the group to qualify for the state meet.

“There has been a little rivalry (with Central Catholic) especially since most of us come from the same gym and we all train together for club gymnastics,” Misiura said. “So we always are talking about it and sometimes it gets a little competitive. We just try our best and practice hard.”

Misiura’s 9.800 scores in the vault and bars were complemented by her 9.750 mark on the floor routine. Eberhardt flourished on the bars (9.650) for a 37.550 allaround finish, while Ava Nolan (27.450) stood out on the vault (9.475) and Janey Young’s balanced results (27.500) boosted Masconomet.

First-year Chieftains head coach Vasko Vetzev has his eyes more on winning the state title but has enjoyed coaching the girls he’s coached in club in this newer capacity.

“Of course (it has special meaning),” he said. “We did have some ups and down but they stuck together and they cheer each other. It’s what they do.”

Kaitlyn Micale of North Andover finished third-best in the all-around (37.625). Riley Salerno scored at least a 9.200 on all four apparatus to lead Central Catholic (37.425), while teammate Sophia Tressler (36.750) stood out on the vault (9.650) and floor (9.625). Wescott’s 9.600 won the balance beam title.