Norwood Gymnastics

Norwood gymnastic coach Karen Broderick has no senior athletes on her roster this winter, but the Mustang coach doesn’t seem all that worried with her young squad.
“We are a very young team, but it’s one of the best I have ever had,” the Norwood Coach said. “Although we have a lot of freshmen, this is the strongest team I’ve had in my 15 years of high school coaching, talent wise, attitude and work ethic.”
Two freshmen, Jillian Olbrys and Elizabeth Broderick, are holding down the All Around positions for the Mustangs. Despite taking part in all four events, Broderick’s best event comes on the balance beam, where she averages a 9.0, and Olbrys is a huge asset on the bars.
“I am in awe of Elizabeth’s performances on the beam," Broderick said. "Even if she happens to fall, she gets right back to it. With both of them taking part on the bars, it gives us a depth that we’ve never really had. Jillian also gives us a beautiful floor routine with some unique tumbling incorporated into it.”
In addition to the freshman All Arounds, Junior Captains Charlotte Kelly and Amanda Olbrys, who were the teams All Arounds last season, are also instrumental in the Mustangs success. Olbrys has a high level vault built into her routine despite only being a seasonal gymnast, while Kelly’s leadership is her greatest attribute. Kelly possesses an upbeat personality with a great work ethic and motivates the rest of the team. According to the coach, she is also a solid gymnast that sets the tone for each and every competition.
Freshman Kendra DiTullio, is a three-event gymnast who is capable of participating in all four events.
“Unfortunately, we already have our two All Arounds, so we use Kendra in three events as she is a very versatile athlete with four solid routines,” Broderick said. “She is flexible with moving from event to event, but we can always count on her no matter what event she is participating in.”
Norwood has a lot of talented freshman this season that came in with a gymnastic background and the proper training; giving Norwood a strong incoming class. According to Broderick, the incoming talent definitely gives the Mustangs hope now, but it will also give the squad help for the future.
Norwood put up one of its highest point totals of the year posting a 132.55 at the Bay State League Meet, which beat their season average and gave the Mustangs a fifth place finish.
“We finished in the top half of the league for the first time in my 15 years of coaching Norwood Mustang gymnastics,” Broderick said. “It shows that we ended the season stronger than we started and improved consistently.”
Broderick (1st place) and Olbrys (8th) were two of only 16 named Bay State All Around All Stars based on their season averages. Coaches had the honor of naming one gymnast per team as an Honorable Mention All Star and Norwood was represented by Kelly, for her commitment, leadership and overall pride for Norwood gymnastics.
Individually Norwood had two gymnasts medal; Olbrys was 5th on the bars and 7th All Around, while Broderick was 5th on the beam and 2nd in the All Around; while Broderick was named The Bay State League Coach of the Year.
“I feel that my Assistant Christine Heenehan deserves to share this honor with me,” the Coach said. “She does so much behind the scenes to help me and the girls have such a memorable season each year.”