Saratoga Gymnastics Tops Bethlehem To Begin The Quest For 18

Saratoga Gymnastics Seeking 18th Consecutive Section II Crown

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Saratoga Gymnastics won their first dual meet of the season by topping Bethlehem 171.35 – 155.80 on Tuesday night, December 12 at the Wilton YMCA. Saratoga secured 6 out of the top 7 all-around scores led by Sophia Damiano (1st all-around; 36.40) followed by Ava Dallas (2nd all-around; 35.05), Laura Eberlein (3rd all-around; 33.75), Meghan Wishart (5th all-around; 32.35), Molly Russell (6th all-around; 32.20), and Kate DellaRatta (7th all-around; 32.10). Bethlehem’s top all-around finisher was Alison Gray (4th all-around; 32.85). Saratoga gymnasts captured the top spot in each of the four individual events with Sophia Damiano winning the floor exercise (9.35), and the bars (9.10) with Ava Dallas winning the vault (9.0) and the duo sharing the beam title (9.0).

Saratoga, seeking its 18th consecutive Section II title, is once again the team to beat this season, with a mix of veteran senior leadership as well as a strong contingent of underclassman. Saratoga is lead by senior captains Laura Eberlein and Kate DellaRatta both of whom were state qualifiers last season in the vault and the uneven bars. Sophomores Ava Dallas and Sophia Damiano return for Saratoga as well. Dallas was the Section II all-around champion last season and placed 13th in the all-around at the NYSPHSAA gymnastics meet. Damiano was the Section II all-around runner-up and placed 17th in the all-around at the state meet. Contributions are also expected from seniors Molly Russell and Emily Ward, sophomore Megan Wishart, freshman Sophia Sperling and 8th grader Olivia Allen.

Saratoga gymnastics returns to action on Wednesday, December 19th as they travel to Shaker to take on the Blue Bison (6 pm @ Shaker High School). The complete season schedule appears below:

For more information, contact Head Coach Deb Smarro (dsmarro@bscsd.org) or Assistant Coach Tiffany Hogben (tiffany.hogben@gmail.com).