Gymnastics beat: Vitale, Kropf are quality
Plainview JFK is flipping proof that a team can be deep without much depth.
"Small but mighty" became the mantra for the gymnastics team when it split from Bethpage in 2008. The combo squad won nine of 10 Nassau titles before Section VIII determined Plainview JFK could field its own team. It can, but it has got just nine girls now.
It's just enough to dominate. The Hawks won counties in 2008 and last season came within a couple points of another. This year's challenge was overcoming the loss of its two top performers. They're now small(er), but mighty hard to beat. The Hawks (4-0) are averaging a whopping 167.31 points per meet.
The high-quality performances offset the roster quantity. "It's consistent scoring from everyone," coach Debbie Rut said.
Victoria Vitale anchors the team and the emergence of Melissa Kropf has elevated the Hawks. She's dominant on floor (notched a 9.0 Friday), is becoming an all-around threat and, as a sophomore, a leader.
"She brings lots of energy," Rut said, "and her positivity rubs off on others."
Eighth-grader Jordan Sack and seventh-grader Jamie Simon, rising stars, among them. "We're confident but not overconfident," Kropf said. "We know what we're capable of, but we have to do it."
