After four undefeated seasons, it’s a rebuilding year for Mt. Hope gymnasts

Story by Richard W Dionne Jr, Photos by Julie Furtado
Posted 2/4/20

The Mt. Hope gymnastics team is finally in a rebuilding year, after going undefeated four straight years and winning four state championships, one Division I title in 2019, and three Division II championships from 2016-18, with talented gymnasts Meghan Oliver, Jayme Foreman and Kaitlyn Quinn.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


After four undefeated seasons, it’s a rebuilding year for Mt. Hope gymnasts

Posted

The Mt. Hope gymnastics team is finally in a rebuilding year, after going undefeated four straight years and winning four state championships, one Division I title in 2019, and three Division II championships from 2016-18, with talented gymnasts Meghan Oliver, Jayme Foreman and Kaitlyn Quinn. 

Now that the trio has left, it has been a, “Little different,” according to head coach Nicole Daniello. 

This season’s sophomore heavy team is 0-6. 

“This is definitely a rebuilding year,” said coach Daniello. “They have been improving and have fought hard at every meet. They never backed down. Plus, we have had our share of injuries.”

 

Senior captains Molly Thibaudeau and Grace Silva have been strong competitors for the Huskies this season.  

“Molly has been competing all around at every meet,” said coach Daniello. 

Thibaudeau has qualified for the state competition on vault and floor. “She’s had a nagging wrist injury from before the season started and has qualified for states,” said coach Daniello. “Molly looks the strongest I have ever seen her.”

Silva isn’t as accomplished, but is a strong leader for the team. 

“Grace continues to improve with every meet,” coach Daniello said. 

Seniors Morgan Alves and Tatum Costa joined the team last season as juniors. Despite their lack of experience, they have have been great teammates and continue to hone their skills. 

“Morgan and Tatum have made a big impact on the moral of this team by supporting their teammates and improving their own skills,” said coach Daniello. 

Juniors Marissa Grenier and Mackenzie Swift have made strides this season and look to improve the team next year. “Marissa has contributed to our team score on floor at every meet. We rely on her tumbling skills and beautiful leaps and jumps to make us more competitive against the other D1 schools,” said coach Daniello. 

“Mackenzie just started on the team this year.  She had competed for East Bay Gymnastics and came out strong making the varsity line up on beam and floor,” coach Daniello said.  

Freshmen Liliana Ingham and Sabrina Medeiros also made the varsity team this season.

 

Banged up

Sophomore Nora Prendergast, the team’s leading scorer, fought through a floor routine after injuring her ankle. 

“It happened right before her last tumbling pass against Coventry,” said coach Daniello. “She finished her routine and scored a season best 8.9.”  

Another sophomore, Reese Pavao also fought through an elbow injury and an ankle injury.  

“She’s also a top scorer for the team,” said coach Daniello. 

Prendergast and Pavao will compete at the state tournament in the all around. “The girls are so determined to advance their skill level to be competitive with the other D-1 schools,” coach Daniello said. “I can't wait to see how we do next year in this division.”

Sophomore Kelsey Olson has also been out with a knee injury that occurred right before the start of the season. 

“Kelsey was one of our key gymnasts,” said coach Daniello.  

 

Coach Daniello is looking for Prendergast,  Pavao, Grenier and others to replace the trio next season. “This team is so young and has amazing potential,” said coach Daniello. “I can't wait to see us next season and even the year after with the talent and drive these girls have.”  

  

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.