Printer Friendly Version - Valley Gymnastics Claims Second-Straight Shoreline Conference Crown

With a score of 130.55, the Valley Regional gymnastics team took first place in the Shoreline Conference Gymnastics Championship on Feb. 16 at ABC Gymnastics in East Lyme. Head Coach Monica Bauer was named the Shoreline Conference Gymnastics Coach of the Year. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

Junior captain Corina Pagliuco and the Warriors’ gymnastics team secured their second consecutive Shoreline Conference title on Feb. 16, and the program’s third in the last four years. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

The Valley Regional gymnastics team displayed, for the second-straight year, why it is the dominant force in the Shoreline Conference, by using a well-rounded and dynamic set of performances to secure another trophy for the program’s mantle.

The Warriors took home the Shoreline Conference Championship by finishing first at the league’s title meet on Feb. 16 at ABC Gymnastics, with a total team tally of 130.55 points. The victory cemented Valley’s second consecutive conference crown, and third in the last four years. It all came down to simple execution for the Warriors to fulfill their dream that spanned the entire campaign.

“Winning Shorelines was amazing. We made winning Shorelines our goal this season, and everyone really wanted the win,” said junior captain Corina Pagliuco. “Camille Pagliuco had a stellar performance on the bars that I think was the difference for the team. We all knew what we had to do, and we pulled through.”

Warriors Head Coach Moncia Bauer added that the girls were ecstatic to stay on the top throne of the Shoreline, after putting in the muscle, hustle, effort, and heart daily.

“We are very excited to win the back-to-back conference titles,” said Bauer. “The girls have improved so much and have been working hard to accomplish this season goal.”

For the vault, sophomore Kaleigh Dugan took home the top spot with a score of 8.45, while following her was Corina Pagliuco in third, with her 8.25 score. Additionally in that event, Emma Reilly finished fifth (with an 8.25) and freshman Camille Pagliuco was sixth at 8.20. Also placing were freshman Clementine Lavezzoli (ninth place, 8.00) and sophomore Coralina Giuliano (13th, 7.75). The Warriors scored an overall score of 33.15 for the vault competition.

Moving to the bars, Camille Pagliuco claimed top honors, with a showing of 8.55, and then Dugan came in third (8.15). Lavezzoli secured a fifth-place showing for the event with her 8.1. Furthermore, Corina Pagliuco placed eighth with a score of 7.8, junior Holly Board came in 10th (7.4), and Coralina Giuliano was 12th, with a 7.0. Valley also took first overall, with a final squad score of 32.60.

“For me, winning is a result of our great team connection. We are all so close and positive that we truly mentally help each other's performances. Also, winning the title of Shoreline champions demonstrates our determination and commitment to the sport. Most of us attend practices three to five times per week, for two to four hours per practice,” said Board. “It took a lot of time to put our high school routines together, because high school routines are very different from club gymnastics routines. Gymnastics is a very physically and mentally challenging sport, and the fact that we won is a great accomplishment. I'm very proud that we pulled together such a great group of girls to represent Valley this season.”

In the balance beam, Camille Pagliuco was runner-up with an 8.85, and then Corina Pagliuco found fifth place by scoring an 8.4. Board was also eighth with an even 8.0 tally, freshman Scout (Hawley) Kornacki was ninth (7.65), and Dugan was 11th with a 7.0. Valley also took first in the team standings for this event, with a total of 32.90.

On floor exercises, Reilly moved her way to fourth with a judges’ score of an 8.3. Dugan and Camille Pagliuco tied for seventh place with their 7.9-point performances. Sadie Iselin came in ninth with a 7.8, Board was 11th (7.65 score), and Corina Pagliuco saw 12th (7.6 score). The Warriors (31.9) were runner-up to Haddam-Killingworth/Morgan/Westbrook, which scored a 33.05 for the event as a group.

Lastly, for the all-around, Camille Pagliuco was second best overall for the night, tallying a mark of 33.50. Corina Pagliuco placed seventh in the all-around with her 32.05 showing for the evening, and then Dugan followed right behind at eighth (31.5). Rounding out Valley’s all-around scores were Board (11th, 23.05), Lavezzoli (12th, 22.7), Reilly (13th place, 16.55), Giuliano (14th, 14.75), Iselin (16th, 7.8), and Kornacki (17th, 7.65).

Earning selections to the All-Shoreline Team were Lavezzoli, Dugan, Corina Pagliuco, Reilly, and Camille Pagliuco. Bauer was named the Shoreline Conference Gymnastics Coach of the Year.

Completing the final overall team standings for the competition were H-K/Morgan/Westbrook in second with its tally of 128.6, Old Lyme in third with a 41.8 score, Cromwell in fourth with a 33.05 total, and Old Saybrook in fifth with 33 points.

At the Class S State Championships on Feb. 24 at Law, Valley placed sixth with a score of 126.75. Competing at the event were Dugan (8.5 on vault, 7.8 for bars, 7.7 for the beam, and 7.6 on the floor), Corina Pagliuco (8.45 for the vault, 7.25 on bars, 8.6 for beam, 7.8 for floor exercises), Reilly (8.45 for the vault, 7.85 on the floor), Iselin (8.35 for vault), Camille Pagliuco (7.8 on bars, 8.4 on beam, 8.15 on floor), Board (6.3 on bars), and Lavezzoli (7.75 on the beam).

For the State Open Championship on Saturday, March 2, Dugan qualified on the vault, while Camille Pagliuco made the competition for the bars and beam portions.

Bauer boasted that the conference crown is the culmination of each athlete’s progress throughout the campaign in challenging themselves by increasing difficulty on their routines.

“The team's confidence has grown since the beginning of the season. This has helped with our overall performances,” said Bauer. “Some of the girls have upgraded their skills and routines since the beginning of the season. They have built up physical endurance for their floor routines, and have become stronger overall. The athletes are learning what it takes to stay focused and execute clean routines.”

The 2023-2024 Valley Regional gymnastics team roster is comprised of senior Molly Manco; juniors Corina Pagliuco and Board; sophomores Dugan, Giuliano, and Iselin; plus freshmen Scout (Hawley) Kornacki, Lavezzoli, Camille Pagliuco, and Reilly. Sophomore India Sharp is an assistant team manager, and senior Sienna Joplin is also a team manager.