High School Gymnastics Coach Predicts a Strong Season Ahead

Lisa Cerchio believes that good times— very, very good times—are on the horizon for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High gymnastics team.

Cerchio, the coach of the Raiders, begin workouts today at the high school, with the team eager to improve on last year's season.

The team went 10-4 last year with a third-place finish at the Union County Tournament. Seniors Lindsay Robinson, Gina Pelosi, Jessica Colineri and Victoria Shack all qualified for the state sectionals and return. Juniors Tori Berman and Annie Rubin also qualified and are back this year. Robinson, Pelosi and Colineri qualified in all-around.

"I thought we really made great strides last year,'' said Cerchio, who is entering her sixth year as coach. "I think we're working our way back. We have our top four back, and with some talented freshmen coming in, I think we should be very successful.''

Robinson persevered last year, despite nagging injuries last year. She placed third in the county with a 35.575 score and took a fifth in the beam on 8.95. Pelosi was sixth in the all-around with a fourth in the vault (9.25) and a fifth in the bars at 8.5. Colineri was sixth in the beam at the county meet.

"This is a pretty self motivated group,'' said Cerchio, who coached at Roselle 
Catholic before coming to Scotch Plains-Fanwood. "They are just incredible. They are year-rounders. All of them.''

Cerchio said she's confident the team can break into the top 20 teams in the state this season. Last year, they were ranked as high as 22nd.

"We came very close,'' she said.

The team will push each other, she said.

"Gina, Jess and Lindsay are neck and neck,'' she said. "They all have strong 

events. This group of seniors has gotten better and better every year.''

The team opens the season at home Sept. 11 against Piscataway High School.