Two elite gymnasts who starred for their respective North Shore high school teams are back on the scene as head coaches this winter.
Vivien Mattei had been at the Beverly High helm for 20 years before retiring and handing the reigns over to her former captain, Lauryn Ginsburg.
Heather Boepple, a former Masconomet star, had assisted Alicia Gomes with the Danvers program the past two years before taking over the head coaching duties.
Both have big plans for their respective teams.
Ginsburg wants to bring her program back to where it was when she led Beverly High to States. Two years ago the Panthers qualified for the North Sectional, and the new coach thinks they are ready to return — with an eye on getting to the next level.
The 2004 BHS graduate went on to compete in gymnastics for two years at Springfield College before knee surgery put an end to her career.
"It wasn't just the knee problems, but the fact I was a physical therapy major and had internships that interfered with my gymnastics training," said Ginsburg. "I'm very excited to coach the Beverly girls; this team has a lot of potential, and I think I can develop it.
"Our team goal is to go to sectionals and beyond. The potential is there to reach sectionals this year. It's been a while since Beverly has gone all the way to States - I don't think they've returned since I was in high school."
Beverly is a young squad with only two seniors: Laura Crowell and Erica Johnston. Many of the 16 gymnasts, said Ginsburg, have a strong background in the sport, and the team's sophomores and freshmen have looked good thus far. In particular, she likes what she's seen thus far from freshman Adrianna Beatrice.
Boepple went on to compete at UVM, and has set the bar high — hoping her Falcons can go all the way to the State Meet. She will rely on her four outstanding Danvers High captains: Shannon Kidger, Jessica Daley, Amanda Daly and Kerrin MacLeod.
"I've been around the team for the past two years and developed a good relationship with the girls," said Boepple. "I'm very excited to take over and am expecting a very good season. We have a very good freshman in Roni Levine, who is going to do all around.
"When I was in high school my team went to States, and I think this Danvers team has the talent to do it."
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Salem head coach Jessica Moreira is looking for a turn around from last year's disappointing 0-9 season, and has had a big turnout of 25-30 gymnasts.
"The girls all have a positive attitude and are working hard to turn things around," said Moreira. "I'm looking for our captains, Julia Pelletier and Jade Bachmann, to have a very good year. Freshman Jordan Maynard looks strong in all events and will make a big impact."
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Last winter Bishop Fenwick had a perfect 7-0 season, but doing it again will be more difficult since one of their top scores for the past four years, Carolyn Hartigan, has graduated.
"We have a little smaller squad this season, but all the girls have gymnastics experience, which always helps," said coach Lisa McCabe, who is starting her 20th season with the Crusaders.
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Hamilton-Wenham is coming off a disappointing 2-6 season, but coach Rich Healey is optimistic his team can turn it around this season.
"This group will be much more competitive," she said. "Deanna Vecchiarello was fourth at State Individual Meet, and I expect her to be one of the top all around performers in the state.
"Last year Chandler Kennedy was out with an injury. She's back and figures to be one of the best on bars in our league. She's also great on balance beam. We're also excited about freshman Katherine Hennigan, who will do all around and should be a high scorer."
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Peabody head coach Russ Mentzer and his squad have set the bar high for this season despite losing three seniors from last year's 7-2 squad.
"We made up for that with a couple of very good freshmen," said Mentzer. "We had a good turnout of 22, and we're strong in all areas. We hope to go to North Sectional and then on to States."
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Masconomet is always one of the best in the North Sectional and a threat to go to States every year. The job will be a bit tougher this year because five seniors graduated and four competed in at least three events.
"This will be a rebuilding year for us, but I think we'll still be competitive in the league," said second-year coach Shannon Worth. "For at least the last five years we've made it to Sectionals, and at least the last three all the way to States, where we were second a year ago.
"This team is smart, strong, and works well together, so it should be a great season. I'm really looking forward to it."
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As head coach of the Marblehead/Swampscott team, Laura LeBlanc is counting on freshman Katherine Pitman to help the team improve on last year's 1-8 record.
"Katherine is a nice addition," said LeBlanc. "She's a strong gymnast who can compete in all around. We were a good team last year, but this conference is tough."
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TEAM CAPSULES
BEVERLY
Last year's record: 5-4
Head coach: Lauryn Ginsburg
Team captains: Laura Crowell, Sr., Vault, Floor; Erica Johnston, Sr., Vault, Floor, Beam
Key returnees: Megan Hardy, Jr., All Around; Elizabeth Layman, So., All Around; Taylor Metta, So., All Around; Jen Lomonte, So, Vault, Bars, Floor; Courtney Hannable, So., All Around
Season opener: Jan. 4 at Hamilton-Wenham
Look out for: Beverly to make the North Sectional, and its key meet with Danvers.
DANVERS
Last year's record: Placed 5th at North Sectional
Head coach: Heather Boepple (1st year)
Team captains: Shannon Kidger, Sr., All Around; Jessica Daley, Sr., Vault, Beam, Floor; Amanda Daley, Sr., Vault, Beam; Kerrin MacLeod, Sr., All Around
Key returnees: Sarah Barry, Jr., Vault, Bars, Beam
Season opener: Tomorrow vs. Masconomet and Salem
Look out for: Falcons to go all the way to States
BISHOP FENWICK
Last year's record: 7-0
Head coach: Lisa McCabe (20th year)
Team captains: Meg Delory, Jr., All Around; Fallon Annermos, Sr., All Around
Key returnees: Eileen Delory, So., Bars, All Around; Kim Shinick, So., Floor, Vault
Season opener: Dec. 29 vs. Medford and Stoneham
Look out for: Meg Delory, who did well in Individual State Meet in All Around last year to cap off an excellent season.
HAMILTON-WENHAM
Last year's record: 2-6
Head coach: Rich Healey (6th year)
Team captains: Deanna Vecchiarello, Sr., All Around; Stephanie Botelho, Sr., Bars, Beam, Floor; Chandler Kennedy, Sr., Bars, Beam, Floor
Key returnees: Vikki Nicholas, S., Beam; Kellie Kerrigan, So., Vault; Susie Balk, So., Vault
Season opener: Jan. 2 vs. Salem at Marblehead YMCA
Look out for: The Generals to improve and be much more competitive this winter.
MARBLEHEAD/SWAMPSCOTT
Last year's record: 1-8
Head coach: Laura LeBlanc (14th year)
Team captains: Cassie Noonan (Swampscott), Sr., All Around; Alexis Lemiuex (Swampscott), Sr., All Around; Megan Amoroso (Marblehead), Sr., Floor, Beam, Vault; Melanie Dempster (Marblehead), Sr., Beam
Key returnees: Newcomer Katherine Pitman (Swampscott), Fr., All Around
Season opener: Jan. 5 vs. Salem
Look out for: The team to be strong as long as everybody stays healthy and works very hard, since this is a fairly small squad with not a lot of depth.
MASCONOMET
Last year's record: 7-2
Head coach: Shannon Worth (2nd year)
Team captains: Chelsea O'Hara, Sr., All Around; assistant captain Helen Steggall, Jr., All Around
Key returnees: Rachel Demarco, So., Bars, Vault, Beam; Marissa Angelone, So., Bars, Vault, Beam, Floor; Sam Lovell, So., All Around
Season opener: Tomorrow vs. Salem
Look out for: Big meets with "usual suspects" Danvers, Peabody, and North Andover all competing for the league title.
PEABODY
Last year's record: 7-2
Head coach: Russ Mentzer (9th year)
Team captains: Jen Habeeb, Sr., All Around; Nicole Gauthier, Sr., Beam
Key returnees: Shelby Cutler, So., All Around; Michelle Manfra, So., Floor, Vault, Beam; Aimee Sinowitz, So., Floor, Vault, Beam
Season opener: Dec. 30 vs. Winthrop
Look out for: Big meet with Danvers
SALEM
Last year's record: 0-9
Head coach: Jessica Moreira (3rd year)
Team captains: Julia Pelletier, Sr., All Around; Jade Bachmann, Sr., All Around
Key returnees: Amy Burke, Jr., All Around; Mercedes, Fifield, Jr., Beam, Floor; Barbara Guzman, Jr., Floor
Season opener: Tomorrow vs. Masconomet and Danvers
Look out for: Senior captains to have very good year
