Senior gymnasts lead Long Beach

Senior Megan Cabasino won three events and senior Danielle Rueda took the all-around as Long Beach’s gymnastics team posted its highest score of the season in a home victory over Great Neck North on Monday afternoon.

The Lady Marines amassed 147.75 points, more than nine above their average, and won for the seventh time in eight Conference II meets. They can earn a share of the conference title by beating South Side in the finale.

“We had some kids not come out for the team because they wanted to concentrate on other things,” Long Beach coach Bill Muirhead said. “We didn’t know what kind of team we’d become this season. The girls have done an amazing job. Some stepped up and competed on events they never had in high school.”

Long Beach’s only loss was by a half-point, 145.05-144.6 to North Shore on Jan. 18. “It was tough,” said Muirhead, “but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. The girls understand it’s not only what you do in the meet, it’s what you do in practice to prepare for the meet.”

Cabasino, a two-time All-American, has a super floor exercise routine and scored 8.9 in the event on Monday to win it. She also took the balance beam and vault, each with an 8.0. “Megan is having another strong season,” Muirhead said. “She already qualified for the individual county championships on floor. She has a routine where if she hits everything, she’ll score above nine.”

Rueda, who was All-American two seasons ago, had a 31.4 in the all-around Monday to win it for the third time in the last five meets. She was first on the uneven bars with 8.2. “Her bar routine has really taken off,” Muirhead said. “She had an 8.8 a few weeks ago.”

Muirhead said the experience, work ethic, and leadership of Cabasino and Rueda have helped the younger gymnasts in their progress. The coach also credited the efforts of new assistant coach Maureen Harker.

Eighth-grader Tara Murphy has been a solid contributor for the Lady Marines and didn’t take long to bolster their scores in all four events. She had a 29.9 in the all-around in Monday’s win. “She’s going to be a seasoned performer,” Muirhead said. “She jumped right in with bars, then added floor, beam and vault.”

Nicole Toledo is one of six juniors on the roster and someone who impresses everyone with her work ethic, Muirhead said. “She’s missed one practice in five years and handles pressure well,” he noted.

Juniors Jessica Blum and Devin Murray have come up big on bars, junior Nikki Morrison on floor, and juniors Lauren Geisweller and Sophie Torres and sophomores Harli Weitz and Ariel Morrison on beam. Sophomore Hayli Weitz returned from injury to perform well on bars in Monday’s win.