HILLSBOROUGH – It was windy and rainy outside, but inside Hillsborough High School, the Raider gymnastics team was on fire. Hillsborough, ranked third in the state, bested their own state-leading, season-high team score, scoring a 112.175 to run away from the rest of the teams that made the trip to Hillsborough in a nor’easter that wreaked havoc on sports schedules throughout the Garden State on Sept. 26, 2026.
The Raiders were led by their all-arounders Emily Baum, Erin Gengler, and Emily Minetti. Gengler scored an impressive 37.375 to lead the way in the all-around standings. Baum and Minetti finished second and third, respectively, with scores of 35.950 and 35.325 for Hillsborough.
The Raiders swept the top three spots in every individual event.
The Womak sisters led the way on the vault for Hillsborough, with Ashley placing first with a 9.6 and Hailey coming in second with a 9.5. Minetti rounded out the top three on vault with a 9.4.
Baum placed first on the uneven bars with a 9.2. Baum was followed by Gengler, who finished in second with a 9.1, while Michelle Prajogo finished in third with an 8.775 for the Raiders
Ashley Womak led the way on the balance beam with a 9.5. Gengler finished in second place on the beam with a 9.3, and Baum took third with a 9.125.
The floor exercise standings mirrored the all-around standings. Gengler took top honors with a 9.65. Baum placed second with a 9.55, and Minetti finished in third with a 9.475.
“The girls had an incredible performance today, and I couldn’t be prouder of the way they competed,” said Hillsborough Head Coach Nicole Razzano after the meet. “To surpass our own state high score is such an exciting accomplishment, and it speaks to the hard work, dedication, and consistency this team has shown. We had some outstanding individual performances, but what stood out most was how everyone came together and contributed to the team’s success.”
Hunterdon Central and Summit rounded out the team standings at the Raider Invitational.
The Red Devils finished in second with a 102.850. Hunterdon Central was led by Paige Brecht, who finished fourth in the all-around with a 34.950. Brecht also scored a 9.25 on the vault to place fifth on the event and an 8.875 on the beam to finish fourth.
The Hilltoppers finished third with a 100.475. Lily Silver paced Summit with fifth-place finishes in the all-around and beam. Silver scored a 33.650 in the all-around and recorded an 8.85 on the beam.
Sofia Rodrigues and Kayla Charles represented Franklin as individuals and competed on the vault, beam, and floor. East Brunswick and Old Bridge did not compete as originally scheduled due to the weather.
Hillsborough and Hunterdon Central will next be in action on Wednesday. The Raiders will travel to Montgomery, while the Red Devils will make the trip to Westfield. Summit will host No. 5 Scotch Plains-Fanwood on Monday.
