Hicksville’s team finishes sixth
in county championships
Hicksville High School’s gymnastics team finished a succesful season recently, coming in sixth in the team County Championships
Out of 20 teams in Nassau County, only eight teams make the County Championships. Going into the meet, Hicksville was ranked fifth.
“We did really well considering that we’re in a conference with a lot of club girls,” said head Gymnastics coach Barbara Hebron. “We were happy with that.“
Some girls who compete in high school gymnastics also compete on club teams and receive additional training. But none of the girls on Hicksville’s gymnastics team can claim that advantage.
“We definitely met the goal we had set of making counties, and we wanted to try and finish at least fifth in our conference, which we did,” said Hebron. “Our team goals were met.”
With a small team of only 13 girls, Hebron has all of her athletes compete in every single meet.
“It was a great season with a great group of girls and great leadership demonstrated by my seniors,” said Hebron. “We had a record number of girls make the state qualifier and many girls place at the Coaches Invitational. I don’t honestly think we could have done better.”
Four girls on the team qualified for the State Qualifier meet, which was the most Hicksville has seen compete in the State Qualifier. Qualifiers included senior captain Rebecca Rilling, ninth grader Jessica Corrado and eighth graders Molly Baer and Angelica Golebiewski.
“I accomplished most of my goals,” said Rilling. “Overall it was a good season. If you work hard, do your dance skills, you put it together, and hopefully you just do your best, then that’s all you can do.”
“She’s just an all around great kid, and a great role model,” said Hebron of Rilling.
Senior captain Michelle Giusfrida also remarked on her final season of gymnastics for Hicksville High School, “I expected this year to be more sad because I knew it was my last year, but everything was just a lot more fun,” she said. “I took advantage and looked upon every moment because I knew it was my last,” said Giusfrida.
Despite the setbacks to the season, such as snow cancellations and postponements, Hebron is proud of how her athletes performed this season. “Obviously the consistency for necessary practice was lacking, but the girls were able to maintain a positive attitude, which helped them keep their confidence,” she said.
