Goode, gymnastics battle Rockets

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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor

The Walpole and Needham High School gymnastics teams faced off against one another last Tuesday night in a Bay State Conference match. Led by Ellie Nash, the Rockets were able to prevail 125.65-110.75 over the Rebels in a back-and-forth bout.

The Rebels were led by the tandem of Elyse Goode, Dierdre McCarthy, Jill Sweeney, and Isabelle Nee on Tuesday. Goode and McCarthy were phenomenal on the bars for Walpole, earning some crucial points to keep the Rebels in the match against an extremely talented group of Rockets. Meanwhile, Sweeney’s efforts on the balance beam and Isabelle Nee’s performances on the floor exercise were outstanding.

Unfortunately for Walpole, the Needham girls were able to win the higher scores on the floor exercises thanks to Maddie Asward, Natalie Hallogen (also excelled on bars), and Megan Torney. Amanda Cohen’s efforts on the beam and Ellie Nash’s performance on the vault ended up being the difference in the match, as Needham was able to pull away for the 15-point victory late.

At the time of print, the Rebels will look to get back on a winning note when they travel to Natick on February 7 before competing in the Bay State Conference Championship meet on February 11 at Newton North High School. Needham, meanwhile, will look to continue their winning ways when they face Framingham on February 7 before putting it all on the line in the All-Conference meet.