Staples girls top Westhill, New Canaan in gymnastics

STAMFORD -- They were three FCIAC girls gymnastics programs with three different agendas.

For Staples High School, it was all about victories as the Wreckers defeated both host Westhill (121.75-97) and New Canaan (121.75-88.40) Thursday night.

"We're getting there," Staples coach Melissa Zygmont said after the Wreckers improved to 4-5 overall. "We were scoring in the 120s, then some injuries set us back. We got back to scoring 120 tonight. We just have to be patient with the FCIACs and state championships on the horizon."

It was a good preparation run for Staples. The FCIAC championship will be held at Westhill a week from today at 4 p.m.

The two gymnasts who figure to lead Staples in the postseason are Emma Vaimberg and Zoe Heller.

Vaimberg took first place on uneven bars (8.0), balance beam (7.8) and floor exercise (8.5) on her way to the all-around title with 36.8 points. Vaimberg captured the floor exercise despite her music CD cutting out early in her routine.

Heller took first place in vaulting (8.55) and tied for first in beam as she placed third in the all-around with 30.3 points.

Kara Tricarico (third on bars) and Emily Fishman (tied for first in beam) should also score points at FCIACs for Staples.

New Canaan, winless on the season, is still building the foundation of its gymnastics program under coach Anne Tomaselli. Top performers for the Rams included Alex Orteig (7.1 vault, 6.9 beam, 26.5 all-around) and Maria Altamura (7.8 vault).

"We came together a bit tonight. We've been hurt by injuries from day one this season," Tomaselli said. "The girls are enthusiastic and working hard. We've received a lot of e-mails from 7th- and 8th-graders in New Canaan, and we hope our summer camp can build up some roster numbers for next season."

Westhill (1-9) falls somewhere in between the status of Staples and New Canaan. The Vikings, under first-year coach Ellie Southworth, posted their highest team score of the season with 97 points. A school neeeds to score 100 points in order to qualify for the state meets.

Westhill gets one last chance when it faces Trumbull on Tuesday.

Leading Westhill Thursday were senior captain Jordan Schechtman (fourth in all-around, 26.8) and sophomore Christina Zeldman (second in bars, 7.8; second in all-around, 30.9).

It was the last home meet for Schechtman.

"It's a little sad that I'm done with gymnastics. I've been a gymnast for four years. I won't be doing it in college," Schechtman said. "It's been fun working with this team. There are a lot of new girls with lots of potential for improvement. And Christina (Zeldman) is only a sophomore."