Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK gymnast Marisa Schlossman repeats as Nassau all-around champion
Marisa Schlossman of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK competes on the beam during the Nassau individual gymnastics championships and state qualifiers at Carle Place on Wednesday. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
At the beginning of the gymnastics season, Marisa Schlossman wrote a list of goals she was hoping to accomplish. It included getting back on the Nassau County state team and becoming the county champion on vault and bars.
Schlossman was able to put a checkmark next to those goals Wednesday night at the Nassau individual championship/state qualifying meet at Carle Place High School.
The junior from Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK won the all-around for the second consecutive year with a score of 36.55.
“I knew there was pressure on me since I won last year,” Schlossman said. “I didn’t have the best start on floor, and I knew I had to finish strong.”
Schlossman won on vault (9.3) and bars (9.375).
“I got first in vault and bars last year,” she said. “Those are definitely my strong events, so it feels nice winning it again.”
Schlossman also placed second on beam (9.4) and scored an 8.475 on floor.
“Dedicated, leader, perseverance, hunger to win; those are all words I’d use to describe Marisa,” Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK assistant coach Jeff Salzberg said. “Even though she was nervous coming into today, she was able to compose herself so well, and that’s what a champion does.”
Syosset junior Leah Chin finished second in the all-around with a 35.95 and senior teammate Cami Platt finished third with a 35.125. They, along with Schlossman, will compete in all four events at the state championships, scheduled for March 2 at Clarence High School in Buffalo. Joining them will be Massapequa’s Bella Conlon, Lyla Jay Murphy, Jessica Misita, and Ava Nilsen; Syosset’s Vanessa Frullo and Arlene Osei; Carle Place/Wheatley’s Sammi Jacknis; Sewanhaka’s Elizabeth Hagen, and Oceanside’s Catherine Brew.
“These kids fought hard for these 12 spots,” Nassau gymnastics coordinator Kim Rhatigan said. “We have a very strong team, and most of them are older, so they can go to Buffalo with confidence.”
Last year, Nassau placed fifth at the state championships. Rhatigan thinks that this is the team that can take Nassau further.
“I want these kids to bring home a medal,” she said. “I think this is the group to do it.”
