Braintree High Gymnast Sets School Record in Win Over Lowell

This update was provided by head coach Rich Ellis.

The Boys Gymnastics team defeated Lowell High School
150.9 to 114.6 Friday evening. Lowell High school boys were the second place
finisher in the Massachusetts Boy State Finals last year. Like Braintree, they
graduated many seniors and are competing with many underclassmen.

The highlight of this competition was a performance by senior co-captain Tim
Lebbossiere. Tim competes in all the events for the Wamps. A specialty of his is
called the Tsukahara vault. One of the six men’s gymnastics events is known as
the vaulting table. A gymnast runs as fast as he can on a 80 foot run way, hurdles to a spring board, jumps onto a padded table (called a table) with only his hands touching and performs a skill in the air from the horse, and finally landing on his feet.

Tim performed a Tsukahara Vault in the stretched position. This vault was
originally performed by a Japanese gymnast in the 1968 Olympic Games. Tim did
this flawlessly and didn’t move his feet on the landing. A 9.6 score was posted
and Tim became the new Braintree High School record holder of this event. The
previous record was established by David Ellis in 2006 and tied later by Blake Ellis (no relation).

Tim won 4 out of the 6 events in this competition. Senior co-captain Brett Ellis
captured pommel horse and rings. And senior co-captain Pete MacLellan took
third on 4 events. Matt Ford, Nicholas VanElfen and Jono Lutz completed solid
routines for the team score.

Braintree’s record is currently 3-3 (losing twice to Andover and once to
Burlington). These teams will meet again Wednesday, Feb. 15 as Braintree
will host the State Finals again this year. The Braintree Boys have won the State
Championship Team award 4 out of the last 5 years.