High school gymnastics preview capsules
NFA
Coach: Cindy Briggs (2nd season)
Key returnees: Jr. Emma Field, Sr. Arianna Gauthier.
Top newcomers: Fr. Sarah Fedeli, Fr. Ja'Ryee Silva.
Outlook: The Wildcats won't have a postseason during this abbreviated season, but Briggs still looks to build on NFA's progress from the 2019-20 season. Gauthier and Field earned all-state honors a year ago and Briggs is excited that freshmen Fedeli and Silva will raise the Wildcats' skill level and put up strong all-around numbers along with the veterans. "I'm excited for these girls to get started and to see this team come together," Briggs said.
Old Lyme/East Lyme/Norwich Tech Coach: Kim Detuzzi
Key returnees: Jr. Grace Arnold (OL), Jr. Kaitlyn Abbey (EL), Sr. Anjali Rana (EL), Jr. Avery Sullman (NT).
Top newcomers: Fr. Morgan Bell (OL), Fr. Alexis Frascarelli (OL), Fr. Gianna Salpietro (OL), Fr. Sydney Siefken (OL), So. Franny Duong (EL), Sr. Brooklyn Geida (EL).
Outlook: Detuzzi will be coaching a pair of teams (Old Lyme and East Lyme), along with a team of
one — Norwich Tech's Sullman — during this abbreviated season that won't include a postseason. Arnold is the only seasoned competitor for Old Lyme, which will rely on four talented freshmen while Abbey, an all-state performer who was second in the ECC on bars, fourth on beam and fifth all-around, will lead an improved East Lyme team. The program practices and competes at ABC Gymnastics in East Lyme.
Stonington
Coach: Leslie Gomes (28th season)
Key returnees: Sr. Katya Torruella, Sr. Lila Rich, Sr. Desiree Zaharie, Sr. Hanna Laskey, Sr. Ruth Greene, So. Lydia Laskey.
Outlook: The Bears are coming off a memorable season. They ended Woodstock Academy's 91-match dual meet winning streak, finished just .9 points behind the Centaurs in the ECC Championship, placed third in the Class S state meet and qualified for the State Open for the first time in program history. Lydia Laskey was The Day's All-Area Gymnast of the Year and was joined by sister Hanna, Torruella and Rich on the All-Area team. Gomes did not graduate a senior, but lack of gym time due to the coronavirus has made it difficult to get back up to speed, so her main goal is making sure her five seniors finish their four-year careers with a "memorable" season.