Hudson High School gymnastics team aims for state appearance

by Dan Holland

For first-year Hudson High School assistant gymnastics coach Maggie Stillion, it’s all about eyeing a trip to this year’s state tournament, scheduled for March 1-2 at Hilliard Bradley High School.

The team went undefeated in its first five meets this season, which included a home win over perennial state champs Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School on Dec. 28, followed by a second-place finish to BBHHS at the High School Challenge held in downtown Cleveland on Jan. 24. Hudson also finished in second place behind BBHHS in the conference finals held Feb. 8.

Hudson High School hosts the OHSAA district meet Feb. 22-23.

“There are no sectionals this year, so everyone competes in districts,” Stillion explained. “The top three teams on day one advance, and the top two teams on day two advance to the state tournament. We have a good shot as a team to make it to the states, which would be my and [head coach] Kasey Pagani’s first time taking a team to the state tournament.”

Senior standouts on this year’s team include Genevieve Baylor, Ava DiGiacomo, Peyton Frank, Lila Junko and Julia Schneider. A number of underclassmen are expected to step up to fill their shoes next season, said Stillion.

“This year, the top four scores count for your team score, and we have a really good freshman, Jillian Galich, who has helped put us over the top all season,” said Stillion. “Junior Shea Broski went to state’s last year for Hudson, and she’s very strong on bars and floor. Clare Nalley, a sophomore, is also strong for us on bars and vaults.”

Stillion, along with second-year head gymnastics coach Kasey Pagani, began coaching together at Gym World Twinsburg upon its opening in 2014. The duo met while training at Gym World in Broadview Heights during their teen years and have coached a number of seniors on this year’s roster at Gym World Twinsburg. Stillion has also coached the Twinsburg High School gymnastics program for the past eight years.

“Half of the team does club gymnastics at Gym World,” said Stillion, a former gymnast at North Royalton High School and former Cleveland Cavaliers cheerleader. “They were my kids way back in the day, and then they train in high school class with Kasey, and me in the offseason at Gym World.”

Longtime club gymnasts “make for an excellent high school gymnast,” she added. 

“This team is very close-knit and a really great group of kids. They’re very kind to everyone and display great sportsmanship against other teams, and they helped us out with anything we’ve needed all season-long. It will be very sad to lose our seniors from this year, because we’ve known them for so long,” Stillion said.

A team trip to suburban Columbus would be the icing on the cake in a great season. “Our goal is to make it to the state tournament,” she said. “That’s what we’ve been training for all year, to place high enough at the district meet to qualify for states. That would be a huge accomplishment.”

Photo caption: With a December win over perennial powerhouse Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, the Hudson gymnastics squad sets its sights on Columbus. Photo submitted.