Eastern Connecticut Conference

East Lyme/Waterford

Coach: Kim Detuzzi (15th season)

Top newcomer: So. Harley Pendleton (Waterford).

Outlook: The cooperative program is small with only four gymnasts, but Pendleton, who has excelled at the club level, is a welcome addition whose is particularly strong on the balance beam and in the floor exercise. “This year requires each gymnast to compete on every event to get a team score, leaving little room for error,” Detuzzi said. “The Vikings’ biggest graduation loss is Kaitlyn Abbey, a three-time all-state pick who was named The Day’s All-Area Gymnast of the Year the last two seasons.

Norwich Free Academy

Coach: Tandi Carignan (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. Patrice Carrignan, Sr. Sarah Fedeli.

Top newcomers: Fr. Trinity Ambruso, Fr. Allison Wojnar, Fr. Olivia Goderre, Fr. Madison Ayer.

Outlook: Carignan, who has 20 years of experience at the club level, takes over at NFA and will lead on her senior captains. Fedeli was a member of The Day’s All-Area team and one of the ECC’s top returning gymnasts, but Carignan is really excited about her freshmen. “These gymnasts come with experience and enthusiasm and will no doubt help our team grow over their next four years,” Carignan said.

Stonington

Coach: Leslie Gomes (30th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Lydia Laskey, So. Mary Lord, So. Shay Burnside, So. Kaelyn Bevington, So. Haley Adamson. So. Fiona Fulton.

Top newcomers: Fr. Maizy Alu, Fr. Cameron Getchis. Fr. Delaney Driscoll (fr)

Outlook: Laskey and Lord, both members of The Day’s All-Area team last season, return to lead a young team that should be competitive within the conference and peak in time for the conference and state meets. “The freshmen add some depth to our small team and will help to bring out the full potential of the squad,” Gomes said.

Others

Old Lyme

Coach: Courtney Maguire (1st season)

Top newcomer: Fr. Emily Looney.

Outlook: The Wildcats, who were previously part of co-op with East Lyme and Waterford, will go on its own this season and be led by Looney, a Level 9 gymnast who trains for ABC Shoreline in Niantic. “She is projected to be one of Connecticut’s best high school gymnast on all four events,” Maguire said. “This will tremendously help the Old Lyme team score.”