Lexie Castrataro topped the floor exercise at two consecutive events this month, but the consistency shown by a pair of powerhouse programs proved too much to overcome as the Pac lost to Lakeland/Panas (Jan. 14) and Wappingers (Jan. 20) on senior night.
Against Lakeland/Panas, Mahopac delivered a strong team performance that ultimately fell short against the combined Lakeland/Panas squad, dropping a 170.300–160.575 decision despite Castrataro’s meet-winning effort on floor exercise (9.35).
Castrataro was one of Mahopac’s most consistent performers across the meet, placing second on vault (9.05) and tying for second on balance beam (9.05). Riley Hughes added a strong showing, finishing second on floor (9.20), fourth on vault (8.10) and tying for fourth on beam (8.90). Anna Carinci tied for second on floor with a 9.20 and placed seventh on beam (8.15), while Keira Callahan rounded out Mahopac’s top floor finishes in fifth place with an 8.95.
“We certainly held our own this evening,” Mahopac coach Vin Collins said after the Lakeland/Panas matchup. “Another great team effort.”
Floor exercise was a strength for Mahopac throughout the night, with multiple gymnasts posting season-best performances.
“Overall, it was our best night as a team on floor exercise. Lexie is always consistent and tonight was one of her best floor routines,” Collins said. “Anna, Riley, Keira and Ashley Calciano had terrific floor routines also.”
In the all-around, Castrataro placed third overall with a 35.35, followed by Hughes in fourth at 32.85.
“We are improving with each competition and we are ready for the postseason,” Collins said.
Mahopac closed its regular-season home schedule Jan. 20 with a senior night meet against Wappingers. While the visitors came away winners 170.450–162.150, Collins called the meet one of the team’s strongest overall performances of the season.
“A great competition for senior night—perhaps our best meets of the season,” Collins said. “Wappingers is a strong team but we battled in all four events.”
Castrataro’s event-topping 9.50 on floor exercise helped her finish second in the all-around with a season-best 36.15. Wappingers was led by Emma Dwyer, who delivered a dominant all-around performance, winning with a 37.50 while taking first on vault (9.30), uneven bars (9.20) and balance beam (9.60) and finishing second on floor (9.40). Emily Belfiore added a third-place all-around finish at 35.75 and placed among the top three on all four events, while Emma Herlihy rounded out Wappingers’ top performers with a fifth-place all-around score of 33.70.
Despite the loss, Collins said the team was making progress, with Castrataro peaking at the right time.
“Lexie had her best competition of the season,” Collins said. “It was her best all-around total and floor routine of the year.”
Several other Mahopac gymnasts delivered standout performances across the meet.
“Riley on vault, Keira on floor and Sophia in the all-around all had great nights,” Collins said.
Anna Carinci placed fourth in the all-around with a 34.10, while Lara Dimase continued to compete consistently on balance beam.
“Anna also had one of her best nights in the all-around competition and Lara is competing consistently well on balance beam,” Collins said.
Collins said Mahopac saw improvement throughout the lineup.
“Both Ashley Calciano and Ashley Golden had their best vaults and Megan had her best floor routine of the season,” Collins said.
The team left senior night confident heading into the postseason.
“We are ready for the divisional and sectional tournaments,” Collins said.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here