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02/19/2024 01:27 AMIn sports, no matter how many victories or championships a team attains, each campaign yields a different chapter of crashes and crescendos. For the Hand gymnastics team, the road was anything but easy, but for the third straight winter and 24th overall, it led to the Tigers reaching a desired destination as SCC champions.
At the SCC Championships on Feb. 8 at Law High School, the Tigers entered the competition as a heavy favorite, after taking the prior two titles and maintaining a perfect 12-0 regular-season record. Yet Hand did not take anything for granted, and claimed a three-peat as league champs with a score of 138.95, just outperforming runner-up in host Law with its tally of 133. Rounding out the field were Foran (116.7 to finish third), Hamden at fourth (108.6 points), fifth-place Mercy (54.7), and North Haven (29.6).
“This is the 24th overall SCC title for the Tigers. That's a lot of wins, but it never gets old and every team is different. For the new folks, this is their first taste of what the Hand gymnastics’ tradition of excellence is,” said Head Coach Kelly Smith. “For the returning athletes, this is continuing on the legacy that they are so proud of. We've had our share of ups and downs this season, and we've been battling some injuries, and that makes this win even sweeter.”
Smith added that the club did not back down, but rather, stepped up and over any sort of hurdles with a smile. Even as the top target in the championship meet, they relished the spotlight and literally left it all on the floor after the beam.
“We have taken the challenges, buckled down, and stood up tall to still take care of business. And we have so much fun doing it,” said Smith. “As the No. 1 seed, we finished the meet on the floor and it was a dance party. The pressure of the beam had lifted, the win was in sight, and they had so much fun bringing home the championship.”
Speaking of the floor exercises, senior captain Hadley Reiss took the top spot with a score of 9.35. Joining her were sophomores Ella Speerli (tied for third, 8.65), Kelly Kelly at fifth (8.6), junior Olivia Consiglio, and senior Abigail Simpson, who both finished sixth (8.3).
“Hadley Reiss has been such a standout for us for all four years, and we're so happy that she's going to go out on top as champion on floor exercise, one of her best and arguably the most fun events,” Smith said. “As runner-up in the all around, she solidified herself among the top and that's where she's been for all of her career. We're so proud of all she's accomplished and will continue to accomplish this season.”
As Smith noted, Reiss was a close second in the all-around, with a score of 35.15–bested only by Law’s Natalie Morrell (36.1) and Kelly was third, with a 35 score for her evening. Kelly claimed the beam crown with a 9.2 tally, and then Simpson was third with an 8.9. Reiss followed close by in fourth (8.7), and then Consiglio tied for fifth with an 8.6.
“Kelly Kelly had the meet of her life tonight! She was working through a minor knee issue earlier in the season, but had worked incredibly hard in the offseason to add difficulty to her routines and it came together,” Smith said. “She hit all of her routines tonight for third all-around, and was flawless to win the balance beam title. She has a beautiful presence on beam and had barely even a wobble under the pressure of a championship meet. This is just the beginning of what she will be able to accomplish this year, and in the years to come.”
Kelly explained that no meet or moment has been too big for the squad all season long, and the SCC meet proved to be no different. Speaking to her own efforts on the night, she expressed that there was little she could have done better in ascending to the top of the beam.
“Winning the SCCs for the third time in a row is an incredible achievement for our whole team. We came together and delivered a very strong performance,” said Kelly. “Being a part of such a supportive and welcoming team is so special, especially during our bigger meets like this one. I was thrilled with my performances, especially on the balance beam. It was one of my best meets this season, and I am very proud of how I performed, and I am looking forward to the rest of our season.”
Consiglio (fourth, 34.2), Simpson (sixth, 33.45), and Speerli (seventh, 33.4) all competed in the all-around for Hand as well, all placing in the top 10. Smith additionally was quick to recognize the emotional and spiritual uplift from senior captain Dylan Friedman.
“These three are the depth that has stepped up to be in all four events and help our team maintain its success. Many teams have the standout athletes and they are important, but the middle of the lineup where these girls are, these three very talented girls who might be standouts on other teams, their role is so very important to our team success,” said Smith of that all-around trio. “Dylan is one of the hardest workers in the gym and the loudest supporter of all her teammates. She is a two-year captain and winter scholar athlete. She is the entire package. And for the first time in her career, she earned All-SCC recognition, and deservedly so.”
For the bars, Consiglio tied for second with a 8.7 mark, while Kelly was fourth (8.4), Speerli was fifth (8.3), and Reiss tied for sixth (8.1). On the vault, Reiss moved to third (9.0), Kelly found fourth (8.8), and Simpson was fifth (8.75).
As anticipated with those results, Hand earned solid representation on the All-SCC Team, with Reiss, Kelly, Consiglio, Simpson, Speerli, Friedman, juniors Morgan Flickinger, and Brooke Anderson.
“Winning the SCC Championship for the third time in a row was such a momentous and special moment,” said Friedman. “I believe this shows both how well we work under pressure, and our depth as a team. Every single girl who competed had such a great day, and I’m so proud to be a part of this team that is made up of such hardworking and dedicated girls!”
The Tigers finished their regular season a perfect 14-0 after scoring 137.55 points on Feb. 14 to outperform both Valley Regional (128.6) and Haddam-Killingworth/Morgan/Westbrook (127.6). They now begin preparation in trying to nail down their second three-peat in the form of a state championship–held on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Law. While Hand (the two-time reigning Class S title holder) has its division placement for states to be determined, it will remain focused on the items and elements it can control by practicing to near perfection.
“The state matchups are not determined yet, but we certainly have our eyes on some strong teams that we're likely to face at the states. We've got a great shot at winning again, but we're going to need to leave it all on the line,” said Smith. “Our focus the next few weeks will be on all the little details that are going to be necessary. We need to go in with the confidence that we can and will hit our routines. We need to handle the pressure of being two-time defending champs, and not just hit but do our routines with amplitude and execution. This is a really close-knit team, and our depth is our strength. We lean on that as part of our mindset; we're in this together and we're better together. It's all about the team, and together the team is strong.”
The 2023-2024 Hand gymnastics team roster is comprised of seniors Reiss, Simpson, and Friedman; juniors Anderson, Consiglio, Flickinger, Abigail Lombardi, and Jillian Millen; sophomores Angelina Egidio, Kelly, Speerli, and Faye Staschke; and freshman Emma Kuja.
Smith has been Hand’s head coach for 18 years, and is aided by assistant coach Jessica Hoover–now a part of the coaching staff for 12 years.
2023-2024 Hand Gymnastics Team Regular Season Results and Schedule
Jan. 4: Hand 141, Foran 113.95
Jan. 6: Hand 139.6, Fairfield Ludlowe 127.9
Jan. 6: Hand 139.6, Fairfield Warde 113.3
Jan. 10: Hand 139.3, Law 129.35
Jan. 10: Hand 139.3, Hamden 108.8
Jan. 17: Hand 138.95, Hamden 108.9
Jan. 20: Hand 140.3, Stonington 130
Jan. 23: Hand 139.25, Valley Regional 127.65
Jan. 23: Hand 139.25, Haddam-Killingworth/Morgan/Westbrook 123.95
Jan. 23: Hand 139.25, Mercy 61.25
Jan. 30: Hand 133.6, Law 124.7
Feb. 1: Hand 133.05, Foran 118
Feb. 14: Hand 137.55, Valley Regional 128.6
Feb. 14: Hand 137.55, Haddam-Killingworth/Morgan/Westbrook 127.6