Crasa leads Ward Melville to League II crown

At the beginning of her beam routine, Ward Melville's Cydney Crasa playfully pointed toward the judges and back to her face as if to say, ''eyes right here.'' After performances like Monday's, it's hard to believe anyone needs reminding.

Crasa, a seventh-grader, finished with 36.525 on the all-around, as Ward Melville (8-0) completed a perfect season in League II, defeating Sachem, 165.575-161.75. The Patriots closed out their first league title in four years after being promoted from League III at the beginning of the season.

Juniors Kira Jarrar and Alexis Grasso led Sachem (3-2) with a 9.3 and a 9.0 on floor, both season bests. Sachem also tallied a season high in points.

"It feels pretty great," Alison LaRocca said. Only a sophomore, LaRocca has been Ward Melville's longtime leader, winning the individual county floor exercise title last year.

"We've come all this way," said LaRocca, who came in second with a 35.95. "We've got new girls, and my little buddy."

The little buddy in question is none other than Crasa. Daughter of coach Caryl Crasa, Cydney has been attending her family-operated club gym, Exper-Tiess, since she was a toddler. LaRocca was 5 years old when she met Cydney and the two have been bouncing off each other since. "I love being around the girls," Crasa said. "They're so alive."

Crasa, a showman if there ever was one, has made a huge impact despite her diminutive frame. Her Yurchenko tuck (a vault with a 9.5 difficulty) brought in a 9.35, her highest score of the night. For the individual championships, she plans to up the ante with a layout finish - a 10.0 vault.

Until then, Ward Melville will enjoy the chance to add a spot to the championship banner back home, with hope for more. The title means a shot at League I next year and a possible bid into the county championship this year, which is determined by team points scored.

"It was so hard for them to work their way back up," Caryl Crasa said. "This is huge."