The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Mercy enjoying magical season
DEEP RIVER — The season to remember forever just keeps getting better for the Mercy High School girls gymnastics team.
The Tigers rolled through an undefeated regular season while scoring less than 130 points in just one of their seven multiple-opponent meets.
Mercy’s 10-gymnast roster spans all grades from freshmen Charlene Weaver, Sofia Mancini and Ella Bankoski to sophomores Annie Berger and Lauren Turner to juniors Emma Plau and Mia Lawrence to senior co-captains Sarah Cartelli and Cece Vess as well as assistant captain Kaci Buono.
“It’s a real good group. Our seniors have provided great leadership,” said Mercy coach Monica Bauer of the Tigers’ program, in just its fourth season. “The feeling of having success has grown over the course of the season. Time has allowed all the pieces to fit together.”
The centerpiece of Mercy High’s success comes from Mia Lawrence. As of Friday, the junior is currently ranked fifth in the state on vault (9.1375), second on uneven bars (9.10), 32nd on beam, 5th on floor exercise (9.2250) and fifth on allaround (35.5375).
“It’s been an amazing season thus far for the team. I look on the CIAC website at the qualifiers list from across the state and I’m thrilled to see my name listed,” said Lawrence, who has also been a part of USA Gymnastics since age 10 and is a Level 8 gymnast closing in on Level 9.
“The team and the coaching staff are so supportive of each other. We’ve all improved our skill sets. We’re all looking forward to the opportunities we have this postseason. I have a few new wrinkles myself.”
Mercy took the next step Thursday as the Tigers dethroned 10-time defending champion Daniel Hand 133.40-131.40 at the Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) championship at Jonathan Law HS.
At the SCC championship, Lawrence captured gold medals on vault (9.2), bars (9.1), floor exercise (9.65) and all-around (36.15) to be named SCC championship Most Outstanding Gymnast.
“Mia has been more confident this year in competition. She has matured as a gymnast,” said Bauer, who coaches along with assistant coach Carl Cavrell. “She’s raised her game skill-wise and she’s become mentally strong. Mia was always talented. Now she’s proved to be a leader and a role model.”
Mercy looks to reach more goals this season.
“We want to qualify for the State Open as a team,” Bauer said. “I believe the girls can get there.”
MEET OF THE WEEK
The Fairfield Ludlowe High School gymnastics team suffered its first loss of the regular season on Tuesday as the Falcons were edged 139.50-138.35 by Wilton.
Wilton, under veteran