Long Beach loaded with youth

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Despite only graduating two gymnasts from last season, Long Beach’s roster has quite a different look this winter as longtime coach Bill Muirhead tries to guide the Lady Marines to the county team tournament.

“Some injuries and some girls moving on to other activities left us with a very young and inexperienced lineup,” said Muirhead, who is assisted by Alyssa Schramm. “We definitely have talent and we’re expecting a much better second half with a fully healthy team,” he added.

Long Beach, which heavily relies on its freshman class, which is minus Mairead Powers (knee), impressed Muirhead by scoring 152.2 points — its second-highest output of the season — in a loss to defending Nassau County champion Massapequa on Jan. 11. “The girls showed they weren’t scared going up against the top team in the county,” he said. “They made aggressive mistakes and that’s what I like to see. I want them to put in difficult routines to try to get the best score possible.”

Slowed by a hamstring injury, freshman Allison Cohen competed in floor exercise for the first time this season and finished first at Massapequa with a 9.0 as part of a 33.1 in the all-around. She was All-American on floor last season and competed in the state qualifier in the event. “Allison came back strong,” Muirhead said. “She has clean routines and is a real team leader. She’s always a 9 or above on floor and she’s also scoring high on bars and vault.”

An elbow injury kept Sophia Cerky on the sideline last winter, but the freshman is scoring high on bars and beam and capable of reaching the state qualifier requirements for both events. “She’s a talented all-around gymnast, but we’re not rushing her into vault and floor,” Muirhead said. “When she’s not competing, she’s doing everything she can to help her teammates.”

Freshman Delphine Esformes was on the shelf with a knee injury last season but not letting a brace affect her performances this season. She scored 8.4 on beam at Massapequa and leads the team in the event while also contributing on vault and bars.

Freshman Patricia Clune is knocking on the door to score an 8 on beam, and freshman Lauren Pittinsky elevated her floor exercise to an average of 8.275, just off the state qualifying meet score. Sophomore Brianna Moore is also a key contributor on floor.

Muirhead said he counts on junior Brianna Haskins and sophomore Sydney Hoffmann to get the team off to a positive start in every meet.

Long Beach, which hosts the state qualifier (individual county championships) on Feb. 13, scored a season high of 157.1 in a loss to South Side on Jan. 3. The Lady Marines are 1-4 with five meets remaining, including at home against Bethpage on Jan. 30 and Plainview on Feb. 1.

“We’re going to battle for that last spot in the team tournament,” Muirhead said.