By Greg Patuto | For NJ Advance Media
Tradition, talent, and execution — Scotch Plains-Fanwood checks all boxes needed for a program to have continued success year in and year out.
For the Raiders, the results continue to be there.
“It comes down to how badly they’re going to want it,” Scotch Plains-Fanwood head coach Marissa DiBella said. “I can coach them and get them as many skills as they can but it comes down to if they want it, and they do so that’s what sets us apart.”
On Thursday night, the Raiders, No. 10 in NJ.com’s Top 10, won their fifth consecutive Union County Championship in Scotch Plains. The Raiders put up a score of 108.675 to secure the victory. This is the second highest team score of the season for Scotch Plains-Fanwood.
“Our team atmosphere was amazing,” senior Ella Burgio said. “We’ve worked so hard on getting the little things cleaned up so that in big competitions like this, we can bring it home. We know that those little things do matter.”
“We try to bring the energy in the big meets and cheer for each other. When everyone comes and surrounds every event, it brings the energy we need.”
Westfield finished as the runner-up for the third straight year with a score of 107.775, followed by Cranford (105).
“I can’t even believe that I’m saying five in a row,” DiBella said. “We’re just going to try and keep the momentum going as long as we can. They want it every year so we’re going to keep doing it every year.”
The senior class for the Raiders added one final Union County title to their ledger. For this group, it has been four titles in four years.
“Being on this team has been amazing,” Burgio said. “It is something that I will always remember. The team, the coaches. Just how great the team is and how the coaches make you feel. I just love the sport and being on this team makes it even better.”
The depth of the Raiders was on display all night. Delaney Farley finished as the runner-up on floor with a score of 9.525. Mary Katherine Hoffman was second on beam with a 9.2 and put up the same score on vault, which was tied with Burgio and Ava Fazio.
Maureen Whitney finished in the top five on beam (9.05) and floor (9.225).
“There are so many of them that are so talented in their own way,” DiBella said. “They bring something different to the team, each one of them. We’re not relying on just one person. It’s everyone working together and everyone wanting the same goal.”
Scotch Plains-Fanwood knows a thing or two about leaving counties with a victory and knows that it can fight a fire heading into states.
“It definitely gives us more confidence,” Burgio said. “Just knowing that we can do it and knowing we got it moving forward.”
“We always come into this knowing we have to work really hard,” DiBella said. “This is proof to them seeing what hard work will do. They will definitely take that into sectionals and hopefully it’s rewarded further.”
Mia Altobelli is all smiles after her beam routine in the Union County Gymnastic Championships at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in Scotch Plains, NJ on Thursday, October 19, 2023.Mile Djordjiovski | For NJ Advance Media
Mia Altobelli wins All-Around title
When Mia Altobelli entered the program last year, Cranford knew that it was getting an elite all-around threat. On Thursday night, the sophomore proved it to be true.
Altobelli was crowned all-around champion with a score of 37.225. She was also victorious on floor (9.625), beam (9.3), and bars (9.1).
“Everyone is so supportive,” Altobelli said. “That is what matters to me. It’s been great and I credit my team for being prepared and just being supportive throughout everything.”
Lailah Willis of Union won vault with a 9.4. Altobelli led Cranford to a third-place finish in the competition. The Cougars have righted the ship after dropping its first meet of the season. They have won five dual meets in a row against fellow Union County foes such as Summit, Union Catholic, and Union.
The overall relationship between Cranford has the team in the position it is now. That is gearing up for what comes next after putting up its second highest score of the season.
“I’ve built so many incredible friendships,” Altobelli said. “It has really bonded our team, just the relationships we have and the support. We think of it more as a practice than a competition. Just kind of relax. Try not to get too stressed over it and go do what we can.”
