EATONTOWN – The No. 1 St. John Vianney gymnastics team bested No. 9 Howell, 107.700 – 104.050, at Spartan Gymnastics in Eatontown on Sept. 15, 2026.
Howell won two of four events; however, numerous falls on the balance beam ultimately spelled defeat for the Rebels.
SJV swept the top three spots in the all-around, with Sierra Vaz leading the way with a 35.775. Kate DeSimone and Ava Rosado finished in second and third with scores of 35.725 and 34.700, respectively, for the Lancers. Isa Otero was Howell’s lone all-around competitor, finishing with a 34.100.
Howell took two of the top three spots on the vault, with Amelia Russo placing first with an impressive 9.6 and Otero taking third with a 9.2. Sandwiched between the two Rebel gymnasts, Rosado took second with a 9.35.
The Lancers took first and second on the uneven bars, with Vaz scoring a 9.425 to secure the top spot and DeSimone scoring a 9.0 to place second. Howell’s Emma Halpin finished third on the bars with an 8.7.
Disaster struck for Howell in the third rotation, and St. John Vianney took full advantage, sweeping the top three spots on the beam. DeSimone placed first with a 9.15. Monroe Rizzi placed second with a 9.025. And Vaz finished third with an 8.775. Howell’s top score on the event was an 8.625 from Russo, and they had to include scores of 7.825 and 7.15 in their team total, while SJV was able to drop an 8.25 and a 7.5.
Howell made a bit of a comeback on the floor exercise, sweeping the top three places; however, it was too little, too late. Otero took top honors on the event with a 9.4. Russo followed her in second with a 9.025, and Brenna Velez rounded out the top three on floor with a 9.0. Alivia Cruz was SJV’s top performer on floor, scoring an 8.85.
“We’re just starting to put some of our higher-level athletes out there, easing them into the season with modified routines and gradually adding difficulty as we go,” Lancer head coach Tracie Vaz said after the meet, adding, “I’m excited to see what our season brings once we are full throttle.”
With the win, St. John Vianney improves to 2-0 and will next travel to Central Regional on Thursday, while Howell falls to 1-1 with the loss and will next host Point Pleasant Boro on Thursday.
Also at Spartan Gymnastics…
Red Bank Regional and Freehold Borough competed in a dual meet of their own simultaneously with SJV’s and Howell’s meet at Spartan Gymnastics. The Bucs won their meet 94.800 – 93.550.
Red Bank Regional was led by Kalista Barrett and Brooke Hoch. Barrett placed first on the floor, second on the bars, and third on the vault, while Hoch finished in first place on the vault and third on the beam for the Bucs.
Kiera Wheeler led the Colonials, placing first in the all-around, first on the bars, and first on the beam, while finishing second on the floor.
With the win, Red Bank Regional improves to 2-1 and will next travel to Middletown North next Tuesday, while Freehold Borough falls to 2-2 and will travel to Trinity Hall next Tuesday.
For more scenes from St. John Vianney’s and Howell’s meet, view more of Christopher Shannon’s photos in our photo gallery.
