RHS Gymnastics concluded the fall 2024 season with a 7-4 record and a fourth-place finish at sectional finals at Ridgewood High School, the team’s final meet.
“I have done gymnastics for most of my life but have never been on a team like this one,” said junior Jessica Leonard. She noted that strong chemistry between old and new team members—including incoming freshmen Juliette Crisafulli, Sophia Van Antwerp and Samantha Stevens—helped enhance the team’s memorable 2024 season.
The girls started out their season with promising wins against Holy Angels 102-96, West Milford 102-90, Clifton 101-72 and Indian Hills 101-88.
A season highlight occurred when the Rams pulled off a huge win against Montclair on Wednesday, Oct. 16, with a final score of 103.6-103.525. Senior co-captain Sanaa Thakkar got first in all-around as well as vault and beam. Crisafulli came in second in all-around and first in bars and floor.
The team also saw some devastating losses against Roxbury 104-102, Pascack Hills 100-99, Ramapo 105-104 and Mount Olive 107-104.
No matter the outcome of the meet, Head Coach Susan Falleni always stressed the importance of believing in the team. “The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it’s possible,” she said.
“We are so fortunate to have caring and experienced coaches along with teammates who bring out the best in our team,” Leonard added.
In the team’s final meet, Thakkar competed in the All-Around Individual State Meet of Champions at Brick Memorial on Nov. 9. She earned 8.75 points on vault, 7.7 on bars, 8.7 on beam and 8.5 on floor.
As the season came to an end, co-captains Thakkar and Daniella Diaz were able to accomplish their goal of making this season special and memorable. “I’m very proud of how far RHS gymnastics has come,” Leonard said.
