RED BANK'S CATHOLIC'S ALLY CUCICH IS THE NJ.COM GYMNAST OF THE YEAR, 2017

For Red Bank Catholic senior Ally Cucich, her past four years competing in high school gymnastics have been nothing short of spectacular. Her first three years of competing included three straight team state championships with Red Bank Catholic, with the team’s last state team title in 2016 also breaking the record for most state titles in state tournament history. The team resume Cucich has played a huge part in also includes three consecutive Shore Conference Championships and Central Jersey, Section 1 titles. “Being able to have so much success with RBC means so much to me,” Cucich said. “Winning three state titles is an amazing feeling, one that I can’t even describe.” Individually, Cucich has also continued to excel year after year. In her freshman year, Cucich made her name known in her first year with RBC, as she finished second all-around at the NJSIAA individual state championships, with a second-place finish on vault (9.7). In her sophomore year, Cucich was again a top five all-around finisher at the state championship (37.9), with her junior year being no different, coming in third all-around (38.275), with second place finishes on floor (9.6), and vault (9.75). Ally Cucich of Red Bank Catholic competing at the State Individual Championships. (Jeff Granit | For NJ Advance Media) At the Shore Conference Championships this season, Cucich finished fourth all-around (37.9), with a first place finish on floor (9.7), a second place finish on vault (9.8), and a third place finish on uneven bars (9.55). Her performances also helped Red Bank Catholic to a fourth place finish. Cucich improved on her technique at the Central Jersey, Section 1 tournament, where she finished third all-around (38.150), with first place finishes on vault (9.8), and floor (9.7). Red Bank Catholic also earned fourth place at the sectional meet. Cucich saved her greatest individual performance of her high school career for last however, as she dominated the competition at this year’s individual state championship. The senior finished with an all-around score of 38.875 to not only capture the all-around title, but also break the individual state championship meet record (38.775). “I knew I just needed to hit all four events and that is exactly what I did,” Cucich said. “It was just such a reward for me because I have been working so hard and finally my hard work paid off.” “My team came to support me as well as my coaches who have been supporting me throughout this whole thing, and I really just feel so rewarded that I was able to win.” The senior added. In addition to that, Cucich also broke the record on floor exercise to capture the floor event title (9.825). Cucich went on to earn two more titles at the championship meet, on uneven bars (9.525), and vault, where she tied alongside St. John Vianney’s Ariana Agrapides (9.85). “It means a lot to me to be able to do something like that and bring this back to RBC. It just means so much because this sport means so much to me and I am upset that it’s over, but I am happy I can leave my mark on this sport not only for myself, but for my team as well.” Cucich said. The University of New Hampshire commit reflected on her four years with RBC, knowing how special it was to be able to have so much success not only individually, but also with her teammates. “The fact that I was able to have so much success in high school gymnastics means everything,” Cucich said. “Winning this all-around title is really just icing on the cake for me and shows that I have worked so hard in the gym, and it finally paid off for me.” “RBC is like my home and the fact that I can bring back Gymnast of the Year to my school, there is one out of everyone and there are so many good people that have received it, and all of it means so much.” Cucich added.

RED BANK'S CATHOLIC'S ALLY CUCICH IS THE NJ.COM GYMNAST OF THE YEAR, 2017

LIZ MATAKEVICH

NJ.com | 11/28/2017