WESTFIELD- Bethany Liquori is well aware of the winning streak that the Westfield gymnastics program still currently holds. The head coach for the Bombers, Liquori knows that the program has been on a nine-year winning streak; not nine meets, nine years.
Liquori has spent the previous three seasons as the head coach, and the four years before that as an assistant coach for Westfield High gymnastics.
Heading into this season, Liquori knows that it would be nice to keep the streak alive but will let the season run its course.
“We’ll see what happens this year,” said Liquori. “We’d like to make it 10 (years).”
In order to do that, Liquori will be relying on the team that she has coming in this year. Ten newcomers will be joining the team. Liquori sees the high amount of younger girls as only a positive step forward.
“We definitely brought in some good talent also which I’m happy about,” said Liquori.
Westfield’s Elizabeth Walker performs a floor routine in 2014. (WNG File Photo)
The program will also have the leadership and experience provided for the underclassmen. Reigning Western Mass. Champion, Elizabeth Walker, is a returning senior who will be looked to lead the pack. Other contributors expected to help Walker lead the way are a pair of returners in Mairead Hagan and Miranda Wozniak.
Perhaps the consistent numbers that the Westfield High gymnastics program receives year in and year out is what allows them to have the success they continue to have.
“I had 31 kids come out for the team this year,” said Liquori. “We have high numbers which makes things easier.”
While a nine-year winning streak may make it hard to believe that this team has faced any or very little adversity, Liquori saw it firsthand last year.
Some of the team’s top performers last year went down with injuries later in the year. Less experienced members of the team had to step in. Not wanting to let down the teammates who went down with injuries, the rest of the team stepped up and was able to keep their historic winning streak alive.
“It pulled the team together in a way I haven’t seen before,” said Liquori.
As the Westfield High gymnastics team has their first meet on October 7, it will be the team’s first attempt of keeping the streak alive. The most important value that Liquori has continued to reiterate is what she focuses on with her team the most.
“It’s nice to have a Western Mass Championship,” said Liquori. “It’s better to see the team work together for the better of each other.”
