February 8, 2025 – Story and photos by Joshua Ross
To say Hingham/Hull gymnastics’ season was historic might be selling it short.
The girls entered last night’s Patriot League Championship Meet already securing the regular season title for the first time in school history, with an undefeated season, also a first.
Then came last night. In what was always going to be a battle for the top spot between the Harborwomen and Marshfield, Hingham/Hull needed a near perfect night…and they delivered spectacularly.
Freshman star Grace Whiting took first place in the all-around competition with a score of 36, tying her career high she got last week. Senior captain Sienna Besser finished in third place with a 35.35. Senior captain Taylor Delaney took first place in bars and third place on floor Sophomore Jessica Scipione took second place on bars. Freshman Charlotte Passeggio took third place in beam.
Last week, they broke the all-time school record with a score of 137.50. Last night, they bested that with a score of 138.30, good enough for a Championship meet title.
Head coach Alexandra Boyd was a bit speechless after the meet.
“Amazing,” Boyd muttered when asked how she was doing. “I said to the girls this is the first time I don’t have words. I’m so happy for them. I’m so proud of them. This is just an amazing moment. To beat our program record not one but twice and claim not just the league title for our (season) record, but, for this (championship) meet as well. It’s amazing. I’m so happy for my girls.”
While gymnastics may seem like a very individual sport, it is anything but that, especially for meets like this one. It takes a full team effort as Boyd explains.
“As always, Sienna and Grace in all around, but Taylor and Julia really had good nights as well.” Boyd recapping the night’s performances. “I think Taylor and Julia (Scipione) both had their best nights on. Julia on beam and floor and Taylor on floor. Charlotte as well. she had some really solid routines. She was just always so solid. We can we can always can always count on her.”
Seasons like this define and build programs for years to come and Boyd expects this to do just that, but really is just enjoying the moment now.
“Honestly, it’s a dream come true. You know, I started coaching this team in 2016, and early on, we’ve always been kind of close, like second or third and it’s it’s been about the fun of the sport. I tell my girls that all the time, but deep down, it’s something that was hoped for and it’s just a dream come true.”
There is also an award announced at the end of the meet for the top senior gymnast in the league voted on by the coaches and Sienna Besser this year’s Patriot League top senior gymnast.
“I’m really proud of the team,” Besser said still a little bit shocked. “Super excited. Everyone works really hard this season and I’m just proud of everyone for putting in all their effort.”
Most of the girls have been part of the program for four years and this season was a culmination of years of hard work.
“I feel like we just had so much team spirit and team chemistry this year and I feel like it really brought us together,” Delaney explains why this year was different. “We also had some great additions to the team that definitely helped us go out to be where we are right now. and I just think that we all collectively just work together so well. I’m going to miss this team.”
Hingham gymnastics and Hull gymnastic merged a few years back because of dwindling numbers in both programs. To have two teams come together as one in such a short period of time and be the best in the league is certainly not common. But the girls seemed to not be phased by their situation.
“Obviously not like usual to have two separate towns, but it’s so fun,” says senior captain Leah Frady. “I feel like I just got to know this team really well and it makes it so much more special with all of these girls.”
For some or all the girls, their season might not be over yet. Most likely, Besser and Whiting will compete in the state championship meet in a few weeks. Coach Boyd will need to submit her team’s scores to the MIAA to see if they will be invited to the sectionals meet. This is again would be a first for this team.
Regardless of what happens over the next few weeks, this season will be one to be remembered for a long time.
MEET PHOTOS
