Miranda Lund wins all-around at Nassau state qualifier
Miranda Lund of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK, left, gets congratulated by coach Debbie Rut after her performance on the uneven bars in the Nassau gymnastics individual championships and state qualifier at Long Beach on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Credit: James Escher
Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK gymnast Miranda Lund was reacquainted with some end-of-the-season pressure at the Nassau gymnastics individual championships / state qualifier Tuesday night at Long Beach.
Firstly, the senior returned to the qualifier after missing last year’s event because of a UCL tear, her second in her high school career.
Secondly, Lund, the 2016 all-around winner at the state meet, was on an undefeated streak, placing first in the all-around at every meet this season.
Don’t call it a comeback.
Lund continued her streak and placed first in the all-around with a score of 37.75 to qualify for all the events at the state championship March 3 at Cold Spring Harbor.
“I feel like competing on the varsity level is so fun, there’s never any pressure,” Lund said. “I love what I’m doing and I’ve been doing it for a while.”
“A while” is a bit of an understatement. Lund’s been on the team for four years and whenever she was healthy she dominated the sport.
“This win is nostalgic for me,” Lund said. “It’s my last year and it’s nice to have this moment. It’s nice to come back from injury and win it.”
Along with the all-around, Lund placed first in vault (9.6) and beam (9.4). She placed second on the floor exercise (9.4) and uneven bars (9.35).
Carle Place’s Joanna Signorile was second in the all-around with a 36.75.
Signorile isn’t a stranger to states either. Last year, she finished 11th in the all-around at the state tournament.
“I was really focused and looking forward to having and good meet today and I did,” Signorile smiled. “It’s great to be back on the state team and I’m looking forward to competing.”
Signorile placed first on bars (9.475) and second on vault (9.4).
Lund’s teammate Jessica Lopez placed third in the all-around with a 36.73. Lopez has been a specialist for the Nassau state team four of the last five years. She didn’t participate in varsity last season because of club and school obligations.
“I’m glad I got to come back my senior year and be a part of my team and the state team,” Lopez said. “I’ve been working hard the entire season and to see it pay of makes it all worth it.”
Lopez won on floor (9.43), was second on beam (9.05) and third on bars (9.3).
Massapequa’s Gillian Murphy qualified as a specialist for all the events, making her eligible to place in the all-around at the state meet.
She took third on beam (8.95), floor (9.33) and vault (9.3) Murphy also placed fourth in the all-around with a 36.43.
Besides Lund, Signorile, Lopez and Murphy, seven other girls qualified for the state team in specific events.
“Overall, I’m excited to compete again,” Lund said.
Lopez shouted, “This is it!”
