Newsday's All-Long Island gymnastics team 2026

Newsday Gymnast of the Year: Bayla Goldberg, Smithtown, Sr.

When Goldberg got into gymnastics, it began as a form of physical therapy. Since then, it’s become a lifestyle.

Diagnosed with CMTC, a rare condition that caused improper tendon development in her left leg, Goldberg’s first experience with gymnastics was as a remedy to improve her mobility. Not only did the sport curb her symptoms, it piqued her interest.

Goldberg became Smithtown’s first six-year varsity athlete, making the varsity gymnastics squad in seventh grade. She excelled ever since, including earning a state title on bars as a junior in 2025.

This year, Goldberg helped Smithtown to its fourth county title in five years at the Suffolk team championships in November, winning all four events to earn a near-perfect all-around score of 38.4 to be named Newsday's Gymnast of the Year. She tied for 11th in the all-around at the state championship, including a fourth-place finish on bars with a 9.575.

Inspired by her own upbringing, Goldberg will continue her gymnastics career at Utica University, where she will major in physical therapy in hopes to help athletes just like herself.

“I've grown up with PT and I've learned how much PT can help people both in regular life and in sports,” Goldberg said. “I'm really looking forward to helping other people the way other people have helped me.”

Nassau Gymnast of the Year: Charlotte Seebrath, Garden City, Jr.

During her first year of high school competition, Seebrath was quick to turn heads.

The junior transferred to Garden City from Valley Stream Christian Academy this fall and immediately made an impact. She announced her arrival with a first-place finish in the all-around (36.3) at the Nassau individual championships and state qualifying meet — winning vault with a score of 9.425 and floor with a score of 9.325 — becoming the first Garden City gymnast to qualify for the state meet in at least 10 years, according to assistant coach Jen Soper. She was named Newsday's Nassau Gymnast of the Year.

At the state meet, Seebrath placed fourth all-around with a score of 38.25 and made history as the Trojans’ first state champion, winning titles on vault (9.75) and bars (9.775).

Accustomed to the high-pressure environment of club gymnastics, Seebrath’s success in public school competition is no surprise — and there’s more to come.

“I thought [high school] would have a similar feel, but I really love the laid back and fun attitude,” Seebrath said. “It was a change, because in the beginning I was working on different skills, but being able to compete all of my club skills here was so fun.”

FIRST TEAM

Sophia Bahiri, Syosset, Sr.

Bahiri placed second in the all-around at the Nassau individual championships and state qualifying meet with a score of 36.0, including a first-place finish on bars with a 9.35. She helped Syosset to a second-place finish at the Nassau team championships. Bahiri placed ninth in the state on bars with a score of 9.225.

Leah Kutchens, West Babylon/Lindenhurst, Jr.

Kutchens placed third in the all-around at the Suffolk individual championships and state qualifying meet with a score of 36.575, including a fourth-place finish on floor (9.375). She helped West Babylon/Lindenhurst to a fourth-place finish at the Suffolk team championships, earning second on floor (9.45) and fifth on vault (8.9). Kutchens placed 14th in the all-around with a score of 35.3 at the state meet.

Avery Melchiona, Connetquot, Sr.

Melchiona placed second in the all-around with a score of 36.875 at the Suffolk individual championships and state qualifying meet. She posted personal-best scores of 9.525 on floor and 9.25 on vault. Melchiona placed seventh in the all-around at the state meet and placed sixth on floor with a score of 9.375.

Abbey Thaler, Carle Place/Wheatley, Sr.

Thaler earned a third-place finish at the Nassau individual championships and state qualifying meet with a score of 35.425. She finished fifth on bars (8.9) and floor (9.125). At the state championships, Thaler tied for 16th on floor with a 9.0.

Coach of the Year: Katie Meehan, Massapequa

In her 10th year with the program, Meehan led Massapequa to its first Nassau team championship since 2017. Two of her athletes, junior Samantha Hogan and freshman Lexi Cuthbert, qualified for the state team on floor, bars and beam. Massapequa scored a 172.5 at the county meet, narrowly edging out five-time reigning champion Syosset, which placed second with a score of 171.425.