Conard Gymnasts Top Hall on Senior Night

Both West Hartford teams honored a combined six seniors on Thursday night at Whiting Lane.

Hall captains Gabriella Palmeri (left) and Ashley McDonald were honored on senior night. David B. Newman – PhotoByNewman.com

By Ronni Newton

Coach Laurie Scinto hugged and congratulated the seniors on both Hall’s and Conard’s gymnastics teams Thursday night as the crosstown rivals met for their annual competition and senior night at Whiting Lane Elementary School in West Hartford, which serves as the home site for both teams. Conard won the meet, 135.1-126.8.

Scinto, head coach for both schools, spent the evening running back and forth between events as she watched all of her athletes compete, while assistant coaches Kate Yepes (Conard) and Avery Ringquist (Hall) managed the teams.

Six seniors were honored before the meet began. Hall captains Ashley McDonald and Gabriella Palmeri will graduate this year. Conard captains Jackie Palermo and Janessa Laureano are seniors, as are Katie Berry and Genesis Rodriguez.

Conard seniors (from left) Katie Berry, Janessa Laureano, Genesis Rodriguez, and Jackie Palermo were honored on senior night. David B. Newman – PhotoByNewman.com

Although this was the final meet of the regular season, both teams will move on to the team divisional championships on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Pomperaug High School in Southington. Seedings will be released on Wednesday.

Final rankings for the State Open will also be releaased Wednesday, but Palermo, who is Conard’s top gymnast and currently ranked no. 9 in the state in all around, appears to be a shoe in to compete in all events at the Open at New Milford High School on March 7. Palermo’s best event is bars, and she is currently in fourth place in the state rankings for that event.

Hall’s top gymnast, junior Jamie Hodge, should qualify for the Open in several events.

Click here to see see more photos from the meet on www.photobynewman.com.