Senior gymnasts lead Oceanside

Plainview-JFK established itself as the favorite to dethrone Oceanside as Nassau County gymnastics champion with a 166.05-155.05 victory over the Lady Sailors on Jan. 20.

Victoria Vitale won the all-around with a score of 34.7 as the Lady Hawks improved to 8-0 in Conference I. Oceanside, which slipped to 4-2, had Casey Block win the floor exercise and Cheyenne Blumberg tie Vitale for first on vault.

“It was our best meet of the season, but it was unfortunate our scores didn’t reflect it,” Lady Sailors coach Andy Morris said. “I thought the girls did a great job.

“Plainview has a lot of talent and experience, and they’ve been scoring in the 160s all season,” he added. “They should be the county favorite. Our goal is to finish in the top three.”

Oceanside has captured two of the last three county titles, including last season with roster featuring nine seniors. Key returnees Block, Blumberg and Jenna Blackman—contributing juniors last season—are performing at a high level and doing everything in their power to keep the team in contention. 

“It’s unbelievable how they’re holding the team together,” Morris said of the lead trio. “They’re neat to watch and lead by example. The other kids see what they’re doing and feed off of it. Each one excels at a different event.”

Blumberg, a returning state qualifier and one of the top vaulters in the county, hit a 9.0 vault at Plainview and has scored as high as 34.8 in the all-around. She has a high score of 8.9 on floor and the uneven bars, and a solid 8.3 on balance beam. “She’s an incredible athlete and a wonderful kid,” Morris said. “She’s as gifted a kid as I’ve ever met. If she performs a clean beam routine, she’ll be right up there with anyone.”