This past fall, the Patriots completed their 2024 gymnastics season. Coach Ashley Montgomery led the team to a 9-5 record and a berth in the Shore Conference Finals, a slight downgrade from their 12-2 record in 2023.
The team began their season on the road with meets featuring Manchester Township and Jackson Memorial, beating the former and losing to the latter. Gabriela Kierkowski and Haley Smith each scored 8.85s on Bars and Beam in the victory, respectively.
The Pats then had a nine-meet home matchup slate, putting them in a strong position from September 17 to October 10. During this slate, they went 6-3. The girls recorded victories vs. Manasquan, Point Pleasant Boro, Hightstown, Freehold Boro, Neptune, and Ocean Township. The opponents they fell to were rough, however, as they were against hated rivals Howell, Midd South, and Colts Neck. With the exception of Midd South, the team lost each of those matches by less than two points.
Their final road meets of the season took place on October 15 and 22, against loathed rivals Manalapan and Marlboro. They defeated Manalapan but lost to Marlboro in the season finale. Smith scored an 8.9 on Vault, and Kierkowski tallied 8.75 on Bars in the Manalapan victory.
Senior Day fell on October 17 and resulted in a 104.95-97.7 victory over Red Bank Catholic. Kayla Hanwacker, Lauren Ulon, and Savannah Ziccardi were each honored on the special day. The judges ruled in favor of Hanwacker and Kierkowski in her final home regular season meet. Hanwacker tallied a 9 on Vault and a 9.15 on Beam. Kierkowski racked up an 8.95 on Bars in addition to a 9.3 on Floor Exercise.
The girls qualified for the Shore Conference Championships on October 26. They ended things off with a fifth-place finish in the contest, and a score of 105.3. Hanwacker scored 9.1 on Vault, along with junior Sasha Alkoc’s 9. Smith recorded a 9.55 on Beam, and Hanwacker also dropped a 9.1 in the category.
The FTHS Gymnastics team continues to have a SCT title on their mind again for fall 2025. How bright will their future be? Stay classy in order to find out!
