Shore gymnastics 2023: A challenge to Freehold Township? Plus 56 top gymnasts to watch

What comes up, must come down. And this year a new school could come out on top when it comes to Shore Conference gymnastics.

Or, Freehold Township could continue its dynasty. The Patriots through the first week of the season extended their dual meet winning streak to 74 but finally tasted defeat Tuesday against Middletown South.

Freehold Township coach Ashley Montgomery says there aren’t any safe bets about which team will come out on top this season.

“It is a younger group of girls and so a different group of girls are feeling the pressure to keep that tradition going,” Montgomery said. “It is not going to be as easy this year. I mean, we still have positive hopes to continue our record and have goals for this season.”

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Freehold Township in its opening dual was given a close call by Howell but prevailed 106.025-103.625, then put away Red Bank Catholic 108.4-103.95.

Which teams can push Freehold Township? Marlboro, Middletown South, Colts Neck, St. John Vianney top the list

“We have a lot of work to do on bars, but it is a different group of girls that are up and coming. So they are now feeling the pressure of continuing on. We just need to work on our consistency with their skills and routines, and be able to hit when it counts the most.,” Montgomery said.

The Shore Conference championship meet is scheduled for Oct. 28 at Brick Memorial High School. Freehold Township is the defending champion and Alexis Czarrunchick was last year's all-around winner.

Then comes the state meets - last year, Freehold Township became the first public school in the Garden State to win four state championships. All four titles have come within a six-year span.

Montgomery said she is eyeing teams like Marlboro and Middletown South as potential threats.

“I think Marlboro is the team to beat this year. Our (division) is gonna be very hard this year. Marlboro, I think, is gonna be the leading team and they're gonna be what everybody's chasing,” Montgomery said. “But then you have us, Middletown South and Colts Neck. I think it is early, but you’re going to have them fighting it out as well. And then you have SJV.”

Every move you make, counts

Much like scoring in track and field, where points add up throughout the match in different activities that include the vault, beam, floor, or bars, it takes a team effort in totality to score overall higher than opposing teams. Every point counts, as gymnasts can place in all or single events, scoring overall as leaders in the 1, 2, or 3 positions.

Scores seem simplistic on the outside, but a variety of variables go into the makings of an overall score. Two judges put up numbers based on more than the smoothness of the routine.

“They build up their score through the difficulty of their skills as well as their connections, like putting multiple skills together,” Montgomery explained. “They get credit and points for doing those skills and connections and they’re also scored on composition or execution, meaning how they do those skills.”

It takes quite an eye to score a routine, whether on the bars, beam, floor or vault, judges pay particular attention to the straightness of their legs and arms and the way they stick a landing if their feet are wide or in perfect alignment.

“It is really very small. The judges become familiar with these girls over their four years in high school and then see them in their club setting because they also have competitions and meets outside of high school and when the fall season is over,” Montgomery said.

2023 Shore Conference Gymnasts to Watch

Kathryn Santise, Freehold Township, Sr

Haley Smith, Freehold Township, So

Alexis Czarrunchick, Freehold Township, Jr

Kayla Hanwacker, Freehold Township, Jr

Gabriela Kierkowski, Freehold Township, So

Lindsey Bernstein, Marlboro, Sr

Maddie Ho, Marlboro, So

Dana Imperial, Marlboro, Fr

Kaylee Zweiback, Marlboro, So

Karen Young, Marlboro, Jr

Gianna Chapins, Howell, So

Amelia Russo, Howell, Fr

Kaitlin Cutaneo, Howell, Sr

Emma Gentile, Midd-South, Sr

Cameryn Czwakiel, Midd-South, So

Erin Carson, Midd-South, So

Sophia Villafane, Midd-South, Jr

Christina Fallon, SJV, So

Giovannina Belta, SJV, So

Lillian Murphy, SJV, Jr

Lailah Jones, Neptune, Fr

Ava Krongold, Colts Neck, Sr

Clare Walsh, Colts Neck, Jr

Katelyn Glick, Colts Neck, Sr

Megan Doherty, Colts Neck, Sr

Madison Marinaccio, Colts Neck, Jr

Sienna Domanski, Colts Neck, Jr

Jamarie Saravia, Freehold Boro, Sr

Camilla Hobart, Freehold Boro, Sr

Maya Dogheim, Holmdel, Jr

Ava Pescatore, Holmdel, Jr

Cameron Unkel, Midd-North, So

Jenna McLean, Midd-North, Fr

Paige Villani, Manalapan, Fr

Maddie Katz, Manalapan, So

Julianna During, Jackson Memorial, So

Lea Alvarez, Jackson Memorial, Jr

Olivia Leone, Jackson Memorial, Sr

Jordan Davidson, Point Boro, Sr

Lilly Kenney, Toms River East

Emma Bonforte, Ocean, Jr

Brooke Schneider, Ocean, Fr

Abby McGlennon, Ocean, Sr

Taylor Woodside, Wall, Jr

Vanessa Swistock, Central Regional, Sr

Cate Pongrate, Central Regional

Brianna Butkus, Trinity Hall, Fr

Samantha Kohout, Lacey, Jr

Gisela Sciametta, RBC, Fr

Jenna Scalzo, RBC, Fr

Madison Egan, RBC, Fr

Isabella Galbornetti, RBC, So

Francesa Verdi, Southern, Jr

Liberty Kenney, Brick Memorial, So

Natalie Lindgren, RFH, Jr

Sienna Frangione, RFH, So

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore gymnastics 2023 season preview, 56 top gymnasts to watch