For the last two seasons, the Hampshire Regional gymnastics team has been led by the dynamic duo of Hailey Raffa and Tyler Hetu. Those two gymnasts, along with some impressive depth, helped the Raiders secure the last two Western Mass championships. 

Raffa was the team’s lone senior last year, graduating and leaving the team in Hetu’s capable hands. Even with Hetu, will the Raiders be able to make it a three-peat this year without one of their stars? 

“Yes, Hailey is a loss, but I think we’ve made up for it with the kids we have,” Hampshire Regional coach Lisa Anthony said. “I think we look strong because we’ve got (four) new gymnasts and they’re all pretty good. All of them are pretty solid.”

More than anything, Anthony is excited that the team might have gotten even stronger this season. In addition to top returners like Avery Tudryn and Madelynn Hollister, Anthony has four new gymnasts — Angelena Osiecki, Ryen Delisle, Catalina Ocampo and Julia Sicard — who aren’t new to the sport, but are new to the team, that she thinks will make a significant impact this year. 

And of course, the Raiders’ top performer should still be Hetu, who’s worked hard over the summer to come into the season in top form.

“He’s gotten a lot stronger, he’s gotten a lot taller,” Anthony said. “So his power and strength, and his form has gotten a lot better, his lines. He looks really strong.” 

The 2023 season begins Wednesday at Chicopee Comp and runs through the Western Mass. championship, slated for Nov. 4 at Minnechaug.

Hampshire gymnastics has been on a bit of a historic run over the last couple years; its pair of Western Mass. titles were the first in program history. It seems clear that Hampshire will be competitive again this season, but until the gymnasts step on the floor for the first meet, they aren’t quite sure how they’ll compare against competitors like Westfield and Minnechaug.

“I want the gymnasts to do the best they can and not give up on anything and feel good about themselves. I'd love for us to get a high score right off the bat with all our new people. I'm excited to see all the new gymnasts competing and we're excited to see the other teams compete,” Anthony said. “We are definitely hoping for another successful season, hoping to hang on to our title.”

For the first meet, Anthony said she’ll fill just two of the team’s three allotted all-around slots with Hetu and Hollister. She’ll see how the rest of her athletes perform and go from there.

Hannah Bevis can be reached at hbevis@gazettenet.com. Follow her on Twitter @Hannah_Bevis1.]]>