Hand gymnastics has established itself as the class of the SCC and Connecticut by earning numerous championship banners throughout the years. While the Tigers might not be quite as deep as usual in certain events this season, they still feature several talented veterans and so it looks like 2016 will be no exception in terms of the team’s trek toward more titles.

Head Coach Kelly Smith and the Tigers nabbed their seventh-consecutive SCC crown last winter before rocketing to their third-straight Class M state championship, which marked Hand’s 16th state title overall. The team then finished third for the State Open and eighth at the New England Championship. The Tigers are confident they have the wherewithal to avoid relinquishing those thrones and proved that early on with a season-opening sweep of a five-team meet by notching 128.65 points. Still, just like with any juggernaut, there are always some question marks for Hand entering each season.

“We should be very strong on beam and floor this year, but we’ll be weak on bars and vault, especially bars. We’re missing some of the bigger skills and combinations that would raise start values,” said Smith, who’s back for her 10th year at the helm, alongside assistant Jessica Hoover, who begins her sixth season. “We’ll have to see how that affects us throughout the season and against the stronger competition.”

Piloting the Tigers are the senior co-captain duo of in Becca Anderson and Erin Maxwell. Anderson, who was also a captain last year, comes off a 2014-’15 slate that saw her garner All-SCC and Second Team All-State honors, while additionally being named All-American for the beam and an Academic All-American. Maxwell joined Anderson as a Second Team All-State honoree, in addition to being an All-American vaulter. Anderson and Maxwell’s past accolades, along with what each athlete brings to the leadership dynamic, truly earned them the captain’s hat in Coach Smith’s eyes.

“Both girls are talented and have been All-SCC and All State over the years, so they bring a lot of competitive experience,” said Smith. “Becca has a lot of coaching experience, as well, so she is very vocal in her motivations of her teammates. Erin is quieter, but leads by example. The differences in their personalities really complement each other as they work together as captains.”

Hand’s deep roster includes a few other athletes who’ve delivered at big meets. Also returning as All-State gymnasts from a year ago are senior Genevieve Geller (Second Team All-State, All-American on beam. Academic All-American; junior Olivia Finke (Second Team All-State, All-American for the beam, Academic All-American); and sophomore Erin Naclerio (All-SCC, First Team All-State, All-American, and Academic All-American). Coach Smith added that Hand houses a trio of incoming freshmen in Grace Rogers, Mary Huminski, and Schylar Saliba.

In the opening meet at Law on Jan. 7, Hand started at 4-0 by scoring a 128.65 to prevail over Law (120.2), Barlow (113.9), Pomperaug (110.6), and Nonnewaug (44.6). Scoring by event for the Tigers included—vault: Naclerio (8.8 to win), Maxwell (8.75 in runner-up); bars: Naclerio (7.8 in 2nd), Maxwell (7.2 for 3rd); beam: Naclerio (9.0 to prevail), Maxwell (8.9 for 2nd); floor: Naclerio (8.5 to finish 2nd), Saliba (8.1 in 3rd); and all-around: Naclerio (winning with a 34.1) and Maxwell (32.45 in 3rd).

As the Tigers look to stay atop their SCC and state championship mountains, they will prepare for the postseason with a formidable regular season schedule that includes Law, New Milford, and an up-and-coming co-op program on the shoreline.

“We want to continue our success in winning the SCC Championship and to be competitive [and] in the running at the state meet,” Smith said. “The Pomperaug Invitational [on Jan. 9] is where we will see 2014-’15 Class M runner-up New Milford. We also have two meets with Hale-Ray/Haddam-Killingworth/Coginchaug and they look very strong this year. Early scores indicate a lot of solid teams this year, including Law, Mercy, and Pomperaug.”

2015-’16 Hand Gymnastics Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 9: Pomperaug Invitational at 9 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 14: at Law w/ Newtown and Oxford at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 19: vs. Foran at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 26: vs. Hamden w/ Law at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 28: vs. Mercy w/ Hale-Ray/Haddam-Killingworth/Coginchaug at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 2: vs. Fairfield Ludlowe at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 4: Shoreline Invitational at Flip-Flop Gymnastics, Deep River at 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 5: at Fairfield Ludlowe at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 9: vs. Stonington w/ Norwich Free Academy at 6 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 12: SCC Championship at Law at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 17: vs. Nonnewaug w/ Pomperaug at 6 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 19: at Glastonbury w/ Wethersfield at Gymnastics Express Too, Glastonbury at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 27: State Championship at Pomperaug

Saturday, March 5: at State Open Championship at New Milford