Staples gymnasts move up to 5th place

Moving on up described the sixth-seeded Staples gymnastics team to a tee on Friday at the FCIAC championships at Westhill High on Friday. Senior Captain Emma Vaimberg led Staples with an all-around score of 33.25, placing fifth overall in her last FCIAC meet and leapfrogging the Lady Wreckers (122.7) into fifth place and dropping fifth-seeded Greenwich (121.55) to sixth. Darien (135.85) dethroned Staples as FCIAC champs.

"Emma has been such a great contributor to the team throughout her four years," Lady Wreckers Coach Melissa Zigmont said. "She has been an All-Around, starting competitor since her freshman year. This is extremely difficult to do considering you need to be the best six gymnasts on each event. She is also super responsible and a great captain."

Staples began the day by scoring a 27.95 on the uneven bars. Scored a 7.95 to lead the way and was followed by sophomore Emily Fishman (6.75) and junior assistant captains Kara Tricarico (6.7) and Zoe Heller (6.55). Sophomores Michelle Elsas (5.1) and Katie Blumenfeld (4.75) also competed on bars.

Zigmont said, "This is FCIACs so the scores are supposed to be lower than what we would see in the regular season, and these numbers are still pretty good."

Knowing this, the Lady Wreckers stepped up their game on the balance beam and scored a 30.15 on it. Vaimberg (8.5) led the way and finished third overall. Heller (7.3), Fishman (7.25) and Tricarico (7.1) contributed to the team score. Sophomore Morgan Cravenho (5.8) and Blumenfeld (5.25) competed on beam as well.

Next up for Staples was floor where it scored a 31.7. Vaimberg (8.4) was tied for seventh and Heller (8.0) was tied for 10th. Tricarico (7.8) was tied for 13th and Fishman (7.5) was tied for 18th. Elsas (7.25) and Blumenfeld (6.9) also competed on floor.

The Lady Wreckers closed out the meet by scoring a 32.9 on vault. Vaimberg (8.4) and Heller (8.35) led the way, placing tied for eighth and tied for ninth, respectively. Fishman (8.15) and Tricarico (8) rounded out the scoring and were tied for 13th and 14th, respectively. Cravenho (7.7) and Elsas (7.6) also competed on vault.

"I think FCIACs went very well," Vaimberg said. "We were expecting sixth and finished fifth, which was amazing. As for my own performances I am very happy. It was great to share the podium with some of Fairfield County's most talented gymnasts. And of course I am sad that this was my last FCIAC competition but I still have States to look forward to."

Zigmont shared the enthusiasm and said, "I think the girls did amazing. This was the second highest score we've received all season; and to do that under pressure at FCIACs was wonderful. Plus our personal goal was to beat Greenwich, which we did. I'm so proud of Emma for medaling in two events. Zoe Heller was also a top 10 gymnast. Kara and Emily also were very consistent. Michelle Elsas had a great meet on all three of her events. Katie had a great stick on beam and got us off to a great start on floor and Morgan had one of her best vaults of the season."

Staples will compete at Class L on Saturday Feb. 27.