Gymnastics Team Made Up Of Girls From All Over The County Finishes Undefeated League Season

A team made up of a number of student-athletes from a variety of school districts came together this season to finish off an undefeated regular season at 6-0.

Girl gymnasts from Longwood, Miller Place, Riverhead, Shoreham/Wading River, Westhampton Beach and host William Floyd defeated host Kings Park, 154.85-147.875, on October 29 to finish off their League III season undefeated.

The team is headed by William Floyd coaches Rich Daly, who has been leading the team the past six years, and Lindsey Kulik, who joined the coaching staff this past season.

“This team is the biggest it’s ever been since [Daly] has been coaching,” explained Kulik.

The team, which does not include any seniors, is made up of Longwood seventh-grader Lana Robson, Miller Place sophomore Paige Reese, Riverhead junior Taylor Bodanza, Shoreham/Wading River sisters Caitlin and Meghan Thrash, a junior and freshman, respectively, and freshman Maddie Zellin, Westhampton Beach eighth-grader Rose Babcock and William Floyd eighth-graders Anaely Blanco Garrido and Gabby Golio. Caitlin Thrash and Bodanza both reached the county meet, which was this past Friday.

William Floyd began opening its doors to girls outside of the district years ago when a parent of two girls from Shoreham/Wading River wanted them to be able to compete. Since then, the team has been a hub for girls from all over Suffolk County, for those school districts that didn’t have enough gymnasts to create a team of their own.

“Once that happened, word spread that we had a team,” Kulik explained.

Rose Babcock, 13, from Westhampton Beach, just completed her second year of varsity gymnastics on the team. She also competed at the Suffolk County Coaches Invitational on November 2 and placed second all around there, while Meghan Thrash and Zellin placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

Babcock started practicing gymnastics at her private gym when she was 6 years old. Since then, she’s competed in many events, including a competition in London, where she placed 10th.

“It’s fun, because you get to meet new people and learn from their experiences,” she said. “I love competing and being able to show everyone what I’ve been practicing.”

Kulik said the girls were eager to wear their William Floyd varsity gear proudly to their individual schools. At the start of each practice, they share stories of their school days and friends, and compare the topics they’re learning about in class.

“In a mostly individual sport, the girls were able to put aside their competitiveness — coming from different schools and some from different private gyms — and worked together to accomplish the team goal,” Kulik said.

At the start of the season, the team set a goal for themselves to become league champions. Through their hard work, support of one another, and determination, the team ultimately achieved their goal, Kulik said.

“I’m so proud of them for everything they accomplished this season. Obviously, being undefeated league champions was a huge accomplishment as a team, but I think each of them accomplished their individual goals as well.”

None of the team members had competed in varsity gymnastics before. They had competed in the past individually, but the rules for varsity are quite different from what the girls had been used to.

“It was an adjustment for us all, including myself, as this was my first season coaching varsity.” Kulik said. “We are very excited to see where this progress gets us to next season.”