Newton Athlete of the Week: Newton South Girls Gymnast Ella Poley

NEWTON, MA — When Ella Poley made her much-anticipated debut on the high school girls state gymnastics scene this season, her talents lifted Newton South to new heights in program history.

That was the case all winter, as the senior led the Lions to an undefeated regular season and Dual County League title. Then it was the case once more – in a big way – when she set a school all-around record of 38.075 on Saturday in helping South break the team school record on its way to second place at the North Sectional Championships, with a 147.85.

“I’ve wanted to do [high school gymnastics] for the past few years,” said Poley, who spent her first three years of high school focused on club training at the Massachusetts Gymnastics Center in Waltham. “But I just couldn’t, because [club training] was just too time-consuming. But it was my senior year so I wanted to do it this year. I thought it would be a fun experience to have.”

Poley is at the highest level – Level 10 – in her club training and has committed to Brown University.

“We were very excited when we found out she was joining the team this year,” South coach Kylie Calzone said. “We knew she was in the school for a long time. She kept telling us that as soon as she committed to a [college] she would join our team.”

While Poley has experienced incredible individual success at MGC, she said there is something special about doing it for your school.

“It’s definitely different, because you are competing for the team and not yourself,” she said. “You want everyone to do well, not just yourself.”

Poley's high scores– along with those of fellow Lion standouts Julie Schoen and Lila Sherman and great team depth – paved the path to a team sectional trophy for only the second time in program history Saturday, as South qualified for the state championships this Saturday at Algonquin Regional High School in Northboro.

“This is the hardest judging you are going to get all season at this meet,” Calzone said of Sectionals, “and we broke the school record again, which is so awesome.”

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