Mahopac Gymnastics 2023

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January 4

On Wednesday January 4, the Mahopac Gymnastic Team returned to Eclipse Gym on Route 6 and were happy to be back on the floor, the beams and the bars. “Considering the layoff and the limited practice time, the kids had a good meet,” said Coach Vin Collins, and the numbers were in agreement.

The Indians moved to 4-1 by tallying a 162.9 over Scarsdale’s 123.0 and Edgemont’s 73.8.

The coach pointed to the bars first. “We had good connections,” Collins assured.

The coach liked what he saw on the floor too and feels good going forward with his experienced team. All have at least one year under their belts, and the most senior member has six.

Lia Graap holds that distinction and finished first on the uneven bars with a score of 9.00. A season’s best, the senior has been relegated solely to the elevated portion of the program. “I’d rather do that than tumbling after I hurt my knee last year,” said Graap.

The free fall flipping is no bother at this point either. “When you’ve been doing it for so long, it’s not scary,” Graap asserted.

Kaitlyn Palange could concur and prefers the bars because she really enjoys hitting the high notes. “I like to float in the air on my dismount,” she said after taking third place with an 8.20.

Her parents don’t necessarily agree and feel the most secure when gravity locks her in an upright position. “They’re definitely very scared,” said Palange.

So how does she assure them at this point? “I don’t,” Palange playfully lamented.

They are probably pretty unsteady when their daughter is flipping the balance beam too. The same could not be said for Palange, though. She finished first with an 8.60 and closer to the floor wasn’t bad either. “I had my high (floor) score of the year,” the gymnast said of her second place finish (9.20).

Palange credited the power she applied to her tumble and the rhythm Nicki Minaj put into her strut. “Her music helps me to feel more confident and feel more energy when I’m doing the routines,” said Palange, who had the all around high score (33.85)

Just behind, Lexie Castrataro registered a 33.05 third place finish and was on the level about where she feels the most confident. “I like the floor because of the skills I have and the attitude,” she boasted.

A song called Savage by Megan Thee Stallion plays right in. “It uplifts my confidence,” said Castrataro, who took third with a 9.05.

She also took second on the vault (7.90) and fourth on the uneven bars (8.10). But no matter the final score these Indians can never lose with this group. “The girls on this team are always there to support you,” said Castrataro.

Practicing almost 40 hours a week, she and her teammates definitely need the synergy so they can live up to their coach’s expectation. “We’re looking to get better every meet,” concluded Collins.

January 18

On Wednesday, January 18 Mahopac matched up with Wappingers at the Eclipse Gym on Route 6. A nail bitter that had Coach Vin Collins beaming afterwards.

“We were solid throughout. I’m pleased and I’m proud,” the coach said following the 172.650 - 167.900 victory.

Kaitlyn Palange led the way with an all around score of 35.40. Good for first place, she did so on the strength of a high score on the balance beam (9.30) and second place on the uneven bars (8.90).

Just behind, Lexi Castrataro’s 35.00 was enough for second place. Tallying her total, she registered second place finishes on the balance beam (9.15) and the floor (9.25).

A few places back, Kelsie Thimm took fifth with a 34.65, and her third place floor routine score of 9.20 was easy enough to explain. “I showed off my routine well,” said the sophomore.

At the same time, she and her teammates can tell - like on this night - when the match is close. The proximity certainly elevates the drama so not scoreboard watching becomes a skill in itself. “We kind of watch the other teams score and get nervous, but we try to not do that so we can stay focused,” Thimm revealed.

Riley Hughes knows when it’s neck and neck too and has a formula on both ends. “If you’re winning, you want to keep it up and notice what everyone else is doing. Then you try and do your best and not change anything,” said the freshman.

Playing from behind, on the other hand, is different. “If you’re losing, maybe try to add a skill you’ve been working on or just really focus on your routine and sticking everything,” Hughes asserted.

Either way, the floor had her delivering her best score of the evening (8.35) “I stuck some of my passes and connected with my bonuses,” Thimm boasted.

In this, Thimm got a turn to wear the team’s achievement ornament. “It called the stick it crown,” she said.

Referring to the gold paper crown that gets adorned with a good routine, Thimm was not alone in her sovereignty. That said, the season has so far gone royally, and the rest should be pretty shiny, according to the gymnast. “I think we’re having a great year, and there’s a lot more to come,” said Thimm.

Coach Collins agrees, but more importantly, he sees his Indians rising on schedule. “You want to peak at the right time, and we’re starting to peak,” he concluded.