Watchung Hills gymnastics captures 1st Skyland title

SOMERVILLE- For the first time in school history, the Watchung Hills Regional High School gymnastics team captured the Skyland Conference Tournament championship.

The Warriors were able to edge out Hillsborough, the two-time defending conference champs, with a combined team score of 111.475, beating the Raiders by less than a one point margin at Somerville on Friday.

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Led by junior Alexis Tekin, who won the all-around with a combined score of 37.5, and Morgan Durant, who placed third with a 37.15, the Warriors were able to hoist the tournament trophy for the first time.

“These kids worked so hard,” Watchung Hills coach Kyla Garcia said. “They truly deserve it, they have been improving throughout the season, I couldn’t be more excited for them.”

The Warriors lost their first meet of the season last week against Hillsborough in the Somerset County Tournament, but the resilient girls were able to put out brilliant performances in several events.

Tekins' best score of the night was in the uneven bars, where she awed the crowd and stuck her landing giving her a 9.65 score in the event.

“Ive been working really hard on that event,” Tekin said. “When my team ran over and hugged after I landed, it was a great feeling. I’m really happy. I’ve been doing this my whole life. It’s always been an expectation and a goal of mine to win (the tournament)”

For Tekins, who started gymnastics when she was 2 years old, winning the tournament means everything to her, but she is more proud of the overall team win.

Durant’s performance on the balance beam was phenomenal as she scored the highest on the team with a 9.35.

For the Warriors, who primarily are made up of juniors, the win at the conference tournament means the program has taken the step toward becoming a perennial program in the Skyland Conference.

“The entire junior class has made such tremendous strides since their freshman year,” Garcia said. “They truly care about hitting their requirements and doing what they have to do.”

Getting the win against the two-time defending champs  after just falling to them last week made the victory that much sweeter for Watchung Hills.

“It’s so bitter-sweet after having that bump in the road on Tuesday," Garcia said. “Hillsborough is such a talented and tough team. We’re two really strong programs, so being able to see that they won counties and we won the conference shows that we are right there with them.”

All-around: 1. Alexis Tekin (Watchung Hills) 37.5; 2. Alysssa Christopulas (Somerville) 37.225; 3. Morgan Durant (Watchung Hills) 37.15; 4. Kira Scott (Hillsborough) 36.9; 5. Cindy Lo (Hillsborough) 36.9; 6. Jenna Romunno (Watchung Hills) 36.825.

Team results: 1. Watchung Hills 111.474; 2. Hillsborough 110.825; 3. Somerville 104.225; 4. Hunterdon Central 103.55; 5. Ridge 102.35; 6. Bridgewater-Raritan 102.05; 7. North Hunterdon 101.375; 8. Montgomery 98.5.