Howell Gymnasts Start Year With Win Over Eagles

Coming into this season the Howell Lady Rebel gymnastics team was looking to build on its success from previous years with a balance of returning talent and new members. 

With their season-opening meet, the girls got started on a strong note with a 104.75-100.4 win over the squad from Middletown South. And a newcomer made the biggest impression on the day as senior Courtney Boyle won the vault, bars and floor exercises on her way to an all-around first-place finish. 

With a 35.9 in the all-around, Boyle had some breathing room ahead of South's Molly Tumulty, who recorded a 34.35 on the day. Coming in a close third was Howell's Bayleigh Fobes, who finished the day with a 34.15.

Coach Jennifer Hier said for the first meet there was a lot to be proud of for her team. "We were pleased with our score and how we performed," she said. "There is a lot of room for improvement so we are looking forward to our upcoming events."

One of the strongest events on the day for Howell was the vault where Boyle and Monet Masters both recorded a 9.1 while Fobes was right behind them with an 8.9. Boyle and Fobes also helped boost their team in the bars with Boyle recording an 8.8 followed by Fobes in second with an 8.65. The closest Middletown gymnast was Molly Tumulty, who had an 8.035 for her team.

The only event Boyle did not win was the beam, which Tumulty took with an 8.85. Boyle was not far behind as the senior had a respectable score of 8.8 for the Lady Rebels. She was back on track in the floor exercises with a 9.2 to pick up the win. She finished just ahead of teammate Antoanette Bronisevsky, who had a 9.15 in the first meet of her sophomore year.

The girls will take to the road Thursday afternoon for a meet against in-district rival Marlboro.

Also on Tuesday:

• After beating Brick Memorial 2-0 in their first match fo the year the volleyball team lost 2-1 to Colts Neck on Tuesday.After falling 25-18, the Lady Rebels kept things closer from there, including winning the second game 26-24. In the end it was a 25-23 win by the Mustangs that took the day. 

Coach Anna Popowski said she was proud of her team despite the loss. "The girls played great yesterday," she said. "The girls left everything on the court. Sometimes the end result just isn't what we're hoping for."

• The Howell field hockey team got its first win of the season when it beat Monmouth Regional 4-1 on the road. Rebecca Gaona helped push her team to victory with three wins while Maria Madsen added a goal as well. Tara Benedetti also helped with two assists as Tes Rindels notched her first win as the Lady Rebel goalie.
• The boys cross country team was not as successful as they fell 33-22 to Middletown South at Holmdel Park. Coach John Gagliano said the big hills of the course were an obstacle for the Rebels as the young team learns its way through the Shore Conference. 

Leading the way was Drew Kinghorn who finished second with a time of 18:14. Rupak Mehta finished sixth with a time of 18:32, just ahead of Nick Ferraro who had an 18:36. The rebels were rounded out by Jack McCabe finishing eighth with a time of 18:48. The team will return to action on Saturday when they compete at the Thompson Park Class Meet.