Daggett’s Girls’ Team

 

The USAG Girls’ Team has had a proven record of success at the state, regional and national levels.  Many Daggett gymnasts have gone on to earn full scholarships, including their head coach, Michelle (Germano) Wojtowicz who was a State All-Around Champion and a four-time Level 10 J.O. National Qualifier. She went on to compete for UMASS on a full scholarship and has been coaching at Daggett’s for six years now.  Coaches Andy Leis and Jeff LaValle were also Daggett gymnasts who went on to compete at Nationals and then for UMASS.  Andy qualified numerous times to J.O’s and made event finals on Pommel Horse twice.  He too earned a full scholarship to UMASS where he holds many records.   Jeff won the J.O. Nationals at age 17, finished 21st at the 1996 Olympic Trials, and while at UMASS won the Nissen Emery Award, the highest award given to a male collegiate gymnast.  Patty coaches the compulsories and J.E.T.S.  They also work together with Tim Daggett and Lorenzo Macaluso, the boys team coaches, for optimal training and results.  The gymnasts at Daggett’s are extremely lucky to have such talented and dedicated coaches!

 

                Jeff       Michelle         Andy          Patty Ziter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                      

 

In the 2006 competitive season, Daggett’s Level 9 team placed second at States, sending all four team members to Regionals.  Three gymnasts went on to compete at Eastern Nationals.  In the 2007 season, Level 10, Karen Tang, won the Regional Junior B Championship with a high 37.40 AA as well as beam and floor (9.725 wow!), qualifying her to compete at the Junior Olympic Nationals.  Unfortunately, she was unable to compete after injuring her ankle days before she was scheduled to leave.   Karen’s sister, Kathy, placed first on vault and floor at both Level 9 Regionals and Easterns!  She is featured in August’s USA Gymnastic Magazine!  Both sisters are from Agawam and will compete as Level 10s this upcoming season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

       Kathy                                        Karen

 

The Level 8 Team also had marked success in the ’06-’07 season. Shelly D’Aleo and Sarah Vukalovic qualified for States and did very well.  Abby Griswold, from Monson, advanced from States and placed second all-around at the All-Star Regionals with a 36.775;  she will compete as a Level 9 this year.  Stephanie Palange, unable to compete last season due to injury, will now compete as a Level 9 Event Specialist on floor, vault and beam. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                               

’06-’07 Level 8 team: Abby Griswold, Shelly D’Aleo, Sarah “Vuka” Vukalovic, Steph Palange

 

 

Level 7 Natasha Sankalia, from Agawam, came back from injury to have a personal best all-around of 35.225 at States and placed seventh on floor with a 9.325.  Erin Walsh and Samantha Luke also did very well all season and at the Level 6 States.   Alison Renaud, Haley Harper, Paige Alves and Sarah Hogan all qualified to States in their first year at Level 5!  Westfield’s Sarah Hogan had 9s on three events!  All girls will compete as Level 6s this season. The Level 4’s had an exciting year in their first competition season.  At the State Cup, Madison Perry from Longmeadow scored 9s on three events and placed fourth all-around; she will compete as a Level 5 this year with Alexandra Pelchar and new member, Sarah Stevens.  We welcome the new Level 4 teammates:  Danielle Capuano, Natalie Horowitz, Audra Murphy, Kaitlyn Ravizza and Stephanie Nai and returning gymnasts, Alyssa and Alexis Bergamini.  Good Luck and Have Fun at the upcoming meets! 

Visit www.massusag.com for more information on results and upcoming meets.