Oceanside seeks strong finish

Coach Andy Morris is looking for Oceanside to close an up-and-down regular season on a high note and continue its nearly 30-year streak of qualifying for the Nassau County Gymnastics Team Championships.

“I’m confident we’re going to be there,” Morris said of next Tuesday’s championship meet, which is hosted by Bethpage and limited to the top eight teams (based on average score) in the county. “To be able to say we’re still one of the top eight teams in the county is special,” he added. “I’m pretty sure we’re the only team that hasn’t missed the top eight in 30 years.”

The Lady Sailors, who captured two of the last four county titles, took a 4-4 record into this week’s action and Morris is looking for meets against Wantagh and Lawrence to serve as momentum for Tuesday’s big stage. “I think we can end up 6-4 and be ranked anywhere from sixth to eighth for the county meet,” Morris noted. “We’ve been scoring around the 140 mark all season. We’ve been as high as 145-plus, and as low as 133 when we’ve missed some kids.”

Ranked as high as fifth a few weeks ago, Oceanside has been surpassed by surging South Side and Long Beach. The Lady Sailors defeated Long Beach in the most exciting meet of the season so far, 145.8.-145.65, on a clutch floor routine by senior Stephanie DiLorenzo Jan. 6. DiLorenzo scored 8.35 to squeeze out the victory. “We knew the meet was close, but in gymnastics you’re unaware of the score along the way,” Morris explained. “Stephanie isn’t bothered by pressure, anyway, and she threw the best routine of her career to win it.”

DiLorenzo, who has been a part of a county championship team, averages 30 in the all-around and excels on floor and vault. “She’s an incredible athlete and has been our top competitor all season,” Morris said of the All-County performer.