Edgemont sophomore Isabella Puig had a memorable gymnastics season last winter. It was capped with a berth on the Section 1 team at the state meet as a vault specialist.
"I was so surprised when I made it to states," Puig said. "I actually cried. The feeling was indescribable. States was amazing but vault was last, so it took forever to get there."
Puig because the first Panther since Natasha Imai in 2000 to make the Section 1 state gymnastics team. She was amazed at the response when she returned to school the following Monday.
"It felt so good to have people I didn't even know on a personal level come up to me and congratulate me on my achievements," Puig said. "It felt so great to represent Edgemont at states."
The Panthers start of the 2012-13 season with a new coach, Nicole Robbins. After getting a scouting report from athletic director and last year's coach Ray Pappalardi, Robbins understood what she had in Puig.
"Everybody loves watching Izzy because she's pretty much the best one on our team," Robbins said. "Me and her get along well, so as far as personality-wise, she's good. She can take charge when she needs to."
Robbins has been impressed with Puig in just the first week of practice. Puig has been training at the YMCA in White Plains.
"She's gotten back into the swing of things," Robbins said. "We're working on a new vault this year. Hopefully we can compete that this year, but if not, maybe next year."
As Puig prepares for the new season, she learned one big lesson from last season that she's carrying over with her.
"Everything happens for a reason," Puig said. "And that the less pressure I put on myself the more successful I am."
Puig has her own expectations for the new season.
"This season, I want to get more difficult skills, improve my form, and hopefully make it to states again," Puig said. "I think I am going to be more successful than I was last year. And I hope to keep myself safe and not get any injuries.
Puig likes her team's chances of doing well this season.
"My expectation for Edgemont this year is for us to really work as a team and hopefully win a lot of meets," Puig said. "We have a lot of potential."
