Sports Shorts

Gymnasts from the Wilton Academy in Howell participated in the Winter Bowl held at Atlantic Coast Gymnastics on Jan. 29.

In Level 5, age 9 action, Shani Weiss took second in the all-around (35.95), first on the beam (9.8), second on bars (9.05), seventh on vault (8.7) and ninth on floor (8.4).

Level 5, age 10 action, Julia Fronc was second in the AA (36.55), first on the beam (9.75), third on the vault (9.3) and bars (9.0), and sixth on the floor (8.5). Samantha Gormley was fourth in the AA (35.7), first on the vault (9.5), sixth on the beam (9.0), ninth on bars (8.8), and 10th on the floor (8.4). Jessica Cataldo was 14th in the AA (32.85). In Level 5, age 11 and up action, Elaina Vasile was second in the AA (36.45), first on the floor (9.2), second on the bars (9.1), and third on the beam (9.1) and vault (9.15). The Wilton Academy Level 5 Team won the second-place team award.

Brianna Acacia, a 7-year-old from Jackson, and Carli Fargione, an 8-year-old also from Jackson, competed in the Sweetheart Invitational gymnastics meet on Sunday, Feb. 5, which was held at Eastern National Academy of Paramus. The girls are on the Level 5 USAG gymnastics team at Jonas Gymnastics Academy, Morganville.

Brianna came in first place on the uneven bars with a score of 8.6 and the balance beam with a score of 9.0, and second place on the floor exercise with a score of 8.6. She also earned first place on the vault with a score of 8.6 en route to a first-place finish in the all-around competition. Her all-around score of 34.8 qualifies her to compete in the Level 5 sectional competition.

Carli earned second place on the balance beam with a score of 8.8, fourth place on the floor exercise with a score of 8.0, and fourth place on the vault with a score of 7.7. Carli also earned an 8.0 on the uneven bars en route to a second-place finish in the all-around competition. Her all-around score of 32.5 qualifies her to compete in the Level 5 sectional competition.

Both girls competed in the 7-8-age category. Brianna and Carli attend Elms Elementary School in Jackson. Brianna is in second grade, while Carli is in third grade.

The Jackson Diamonds Fastpitch 12U softball team is holding tryouts for the upcoming season. Tryouts will be held on Saturday mornings from Feb. 18 to March 18. Open roster spots are limited and winter training is under way. Anyone serious about playing competitive softball this season, contact teaminfo@jackson-softball.org or call (732) 928-7372 to setup a private tryout.

A contending team is seeking a fastpitch softball pitcher for Jackson Men’s Softball Fast Pitch League. Games are on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. If interested, call (732) 928-7798 or reply via e-mail to Mike@aquasolutionLLC.com.

The Ocean County College men’s soccer team had a memorable 2005 season. Tadas Simmios (Jackson) and Brandon Benoit (Lakewood) were both named to the GSAC All-Conference Team. All-Conference, honors are based on performance selected by coaches in the league.