Blue Devil Gymnasts Capture Honors

Valerie Ferreira captured All-County honors and Elizabeth James and Khloe Bedell garnered All-League recognition to pace the Blue Devils’ contribution to the combined Harborfields/Huntington girls’ gymnastics team this fall.

Finley health teacher Jackie Lazzarini is Huntington’s coach with Matt Canty of Harborfields serving as the team’s head coach. The squad won five meets in Suffolk League I.

“The girls’ had a great season overall,” Lazzarini said. “We won the Best Sportsmanship Award.” Our girls get so many compliments about how amazing our team spirit and sportsmanship is. This was a well-deserved award.”

Ferreira and James are both seniors. Bedell is a seventh grader. Dynamic Huntington sixth grader Madeline Harris is expected to join the varsity next year and others with a background in gymnastics are welcome to join, too. Send a message to Lazzarini at jlazzarini@hufsd.edu.

“Valerie Ferreira is a young and powerful student-athlete who shows great strength and compassion for others,” Lazzarini said. “Valerie is a wonderful young woman who is driven, successful and hardworking. I am proud to be her coach and excited to see where she goes to college next year.”

James has competed in all three years of the varsity team’s combined existence with Harborfields. “Lizzy is also a strong young woman with the ability to balance many after school activities,” Lazzarini said. “Her talent in the gym is consistent and dependable, even if she is having an off day.

Bedell shined in her first year on the team. “Khloe is a powerhouse with incredible strength, both mentally and physically,” Lazzarini said. “She was new to our team this year and brought so much joy and talent. I am excited to see her return next year for another great season in eighth grade.”

The Harborfields/Huntington collaboration has been a good one. “Everyone on our team gets along great and works very hard,” Lazzarini said.

Ferreira was Huntington’s high scorer on all events, notching even a 9 in floor exercise. “All three girls are equally helpful, kind, considerate, passionate and ready to jump into an event if needed at the last minute,” Lazzarini said.

Looking ahead to next fall, Bedell will be an eighth grader. Hopefully, Harris comes aboard as a seventh grader. “We hope to have more girls join,” Lazzarini said.