Southington Gymnastics Ready for Postseason after Undefeated Run
- Dan Fappiano
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
After seeing so many athletes graduate from the previous team, Southington gymnastics coach Cassidy Chamberland didn’t know what to expect in 2026. But after seeing 16 girls show up to their October interest meeting, Chamberland knew the Blue Knights had the potential for something special. Those prospects have come to fruition, as Southington is entering the postseason with a perfect 7-0 record.
“We graduated a pretty big group last year. I didn’t know who was coming in from the middle school or who was going to join the team from the high school that didn’t do it last year,” Chamberland said. “We had an interest meeting in October and 16 girls showed up, which is pretty big for a gymnastics team. We were really excited. First practice, that group showed up and it has been history since then.”
Once the team was established, Chamberland and company got to work getting the Blue Knights competition ready. The team focuses on how to maximize their start value – that is, the highest score a gymnast could get. Furthermore, the coaching staff must figure out each athlete’s best skills to put them in a position to succeed.
Chamberland compared it to a math equation, finding Southington gymnastics’ perfect combination. It was clear early on that the Blue Knights had a long way to go to reach their potential. But this year’s squad never stopped reaching for the proverbial brass rings. “Reps on reps on reps,” as Chamberland put it, were necessary for Southington to be ready to go into battle.
“We started off and I knew that we had a lot of work to do,” Chamberland said. “It’s a huge sophomore class, a lot of underclassmen and only a couple upperclassmen. There was a lot to be learned for the younger group. They have pretty much taken off with it. We have made such big strides to where we’re at now to where we were at the beginning of the season.”
Southington Goes Undefeated
Southington’s regular season consisted of seven dual meets against their Central Connecticut Conference foes. Six gymnasts can compete in each of the four events: vault, bars, beam and floor. The top four scorers from each event are tallied up, which then creates your team score.
At the time of the Outsider’s interview with Chamberland, Southington was 4-0. The head coach was more than impressed with her team’s start. She had seen her team put in the hard work, but competition brings out a different kind of challenge.
“I was interested to see how they would be as competitors,” Chamberland said. “They have proven themselves every single time. They really show up for their team and for themselves. They do their best every single meet we go to. Their hard work has paid off so far. I’m really proud of them and how far they’ve come since the beginning of the season.”
Chamberland called Southington’s meet against Farmington, a 138.7 to 135 victory, a standout performance from the Blue Knights. The team knew it was going to be a challenge, and it remained neck and neck throughout. As Southington came away with a win, the head coach began to really see the team’s growth.
During competition, each gymnast is fighting to perfect their landings and routines. Every competitor on the Blue Knights is encouraging their teammates along the way. They’re putting in the work together and battling for a common goal. That growing camaraderie has led to a team-wide confidence boost.
“It’s a very supportive group of girls,” Chamberland said. “They’re doing their bondings and really coming together as a team. They feel supported at the meets by one another. Gymnastics can be super individualized. It’s just you up there doing a routine. When you have your pep talks with your teammates and you feel calm by the presence of your team, that really helps bring out a good performance.”
As they close out their campaign, Chamberland wants Southington to keep their foot on the gas. For all the success they found during their dual meet schedule, the Blue Knights will now be competing amongst the CCC and eventually the state of Connecticut’s best.
“I want to see them keep improving. We’re not getting complacent, nothing is ever perfect. There’s still a ton of work to be done before we go into Divisionals and States,” Chamberland said. “I want them to keep working, keep improving like they are. Just because we’re 4-0 right now doesn’t mean that can’t change. I want them to keep striving and know the harder they work the better they’re going to get.”
Captains Lead Young Roster
Of the 15 girls on this year’s roster, only four of them are upperclassmen. It was crucial for Southington to have strong leaders in place for the young squad. In seniors Ella Silverman and Taylor Cooley, alongside junior Kacie Riddle, the Blue Knights found three captains dedicated to helping the gymnastics team shine.
“I’ve known them since they were freshmen. Throughout every single season, they’re the example people look towards,” Chamberland said of the captains. “You don’t ever have to tell them to get to work or continue working because they’re always using all of their time, they work their butts off. They lead by example, but they’re also super motivating to their teammates and lead vocally as well. They’ve done such a great job with their leadership this season.”
Silverman unfortunately suffered a torn ACL and has been out for the entire season. Chamberland called it a huge loss for the team on the mat, although the senior is still serving as a leader. Alongside their work as captains, the head coach called Riddle and Cooley, who competes in all four events, key parts of the team’s competition success.
Senior Szabina Levai is in her first year with Southington gymnastics. Immediately she has become a crucial addition to the Blue Knights, competing as an all-around gymnast.
Sophomore Lily Reed joins Cooley and Levai as four-event competitors. She entered the season on CTInsider’s top 15 CIAC gymnast watchlist. Chamberland said Reed has definitely lived up to the hype.
Furthermore, the head coach has seen vast improvement from Ermioni Petrosky in her second year with the team. Fellow sophomore Juliette Castonguay is new to the Blue Knights, but Chamberland says she has made some impressive strides. The same is true of freshman Madelyn Krupinski, who the coaching staff is excited to see continue developing in the program.
Many of the girls on this year’s Blue Knights squad also compete in club gymnastics. It runs at the same time as the high school season, meaning some gymnasts have a loaded practice schedule. For all their dedication, Chamberland is keeping workload in mind when figuring out how to best operate as a team.
“It’s a lot on the body, and I’m sure on the mind as well,” Chamberland said. “A lot of these girls are doing two-a-day practices. We have to be strategic in what events we do each day so that they’re not totally exhausting themselves. We definitely pay attention because a lot of the girls double up.”
The 2026 Southington gymnastics roster features seniors: Ella Silverman, Szabina Levai and Taylor Cooley; junior: Kacie Riddle; sophomores: Caroline Hlavac, Emily Leger, Ermioni Petrosky, Isabel Rogalski, Isabelle Lalla, Jozie Hamm, Juliette Castonguay and Lily Reed; alongside freshmen: Adrianna Colwell, Madelyn Krupinski and Olivia Bloom. Chamberland is joined by assistant coach Kelsey Lamson.
Southington Trying to Finish Strong
The Blue Knights will compete in the CCC Tournament on February 7. They’ll then enter the Class L State Championship on February 21. At these high levels of competition, Chamberland wants Southington to reflect on how they practice. If they prepare as if the bright lights were on, the glow when they enter the biggest meet of the year won’t seem as blinding.
“Practice like you’re going to compete, so that you compete better than you practice,” Chamberland said. “Always be on. Always be giving your best, always be giving your all. Just because you’re at practice doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be putting your all into it. The more you go hard at practice, the more you act like it’s that moment every single moment, the better you’re going to do when the moment actually comes.”
With a young roster in place, the postseason experience will go a long way towards the team’s development. Chamberland wants to see more gymnasts try out and hopes that Southington’s success this season helps spread the word about what the Blue Knights have to offer.
“I want it to be an environment where they feel like they can enjoy themselves,” Chamberland said. “Sometimes gymnastics can be a strict, nerve-wracking environment. I want high school to be an opportunity for them to have fun. At the same time, I want them to be successful and do great gymnastics. I’m looking for the all-around where they get to enjoy themselves, have that team camaraderie and family environment, but also be successful at what they do.”
The 2026 Southington gymnastics team has set new expectations for the program moving forward. They’ll have an opportunity to cap off their magical run in the postseason. Until their final routine comes, the Blue Knights will be working. Nothing can stop them from trying to be the best gymnasts possible.
“They’re just super productive. They’re hungry to keep going and keep succeeding,” Chamberland said. “The fact they don’t get complacent and they’re always working to do better is what makes them stand out.”