Vikings Gymnast Tumbles to Victory at State Qualifier
The crowd erupts into a cacophony of cheers as senior Marco Giannola salutes the judges for the last floor routine of his gymnastics career at the State Qualifier, the most prestigious meet for a Nassau County Gymnast. As he completes his first tumbling pass, it is impossible not to notice his incredible strength, flexibility, and agility. His hard work, extensive practice, and natural talent are on full display within seconds. With each dance skill, onlookers and spectators are entranced by his beautiful technique and stage presence, and it is obvious that his extensive dance training, his passion for performance, and his implicit joy for the sport make his someone truly special. As his routine ends, and he receives a score of 9.3, the 2nd highest in the meet, the excitement in the gym is palpable. This is the response that he always elicits when he performs, and it will definitely be missed.
Marco is a three-year member of the Varsity Gymnastics Team, and he participates purely because he loves the sport. He first started competitive gymnastics in elementary school, but he decided to transition into dance; however, he later joined the Varsity team because he felt that there was something missing in his very busy life. Marco manages to juggle being a strong student with a difficult course load with endless hours of dance and gymnastics practice. He is often tired and rarely has a day off, yet he has remained focused on his goal, going to the University of Miami and also being a member of their dance team, both of which are in sight.
This year, the Varsity Gymnastics team hosted the Todd Heimer Coaches Invitational where Marco competed on the vault, uneven bars, and his best event, the floor exercise amongst his teammates. When asked about his experience as a member of the Varsity Gymnastics Team, Marco stated, “I truly love being a part of something so special and each year growing the team. Getting a score of 9.5 on the floor exercise was an incredible feeling that I won’t forget. Each year, I love competing in the Coach’s Invitational meet and from there going straight to the State Qualifying Meet!” Overall, the team won 1st (Haley Nugent) and 2nd (Ariana Giannola) place on beam, 1st (Ariana Giannola) place on vault, and 4th (Ariana Giannola) place all-around, ending the season on a high note.
Although the team is small, they are very close-knit and they enjoy learning new skills, polishing their routines, and cheering for each other at each competition. They are hoping to grow their team in the coming years so that they can continue to share their love and passion for the sport with others. If you are interested in participating please contact coaches Melissa Vassallo vassallom@northshoreschools.org or Cassandra Amaya mcnamarac@northshoreschools.org or speak to a current member!
Go Vikings Go!
Article written by Coach Cassandra Amaya