North boys gymnastics returns state qualifiers
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville North's Jared Forman finished second in all-around at last year's Section VI Boys Gymnastics Championships. Forman is the 2004 section all-around champion. File photo

Williamsville North went undefeated to win the Section VI Boys Gymanastics League last fall and everybody is back to attempt a repeat performance.

Senior Jared Forman and Michael Maziel lead the returning Spartans. Forman and Maziel were second and third, respectively, in all-around at the Section VI Championships. Forman also finished third in all-around at the New York State Championships. Forman, who has been on the team since eighth grade, won the section all-around title as a sophomore.

"He's the most talented gymnast we have coming back," said Williamsville coach Joe Buscaglia. "Every year he excels. This is his senior year so this the year he wants to go out on top."

Buscaglia said Forman's toughest competition in the section will come from Clarence's Michael Morse. Clarence is fielding a boys gymnastics team for the first time.

"Competition is also always good," said Buscaglia. "I don't think Jared or Michael would be as good as they are if they didn't have any competition. Every year is a tight race."

Williamsville North's Michael Maziel is a former New York State champion on the pommel horse. Photo by Patrick McPartland

Maziel has the most high school experience, competing for North since the seventh grade.

"You can't replace his experience," said Buscaglia. "He's always very consistent. You can always count on him for a score. That's why Williamsville North has done so well is because of Michael and Jared."

Buscaglia said Maziel has been edged out for all-around at the state meet the last couple of years (only two top all-around finishers qualify for states) and thinks this could be Maziel's year. Maziel usually qualifies for states in floor and pommel horse. Maziel is a former state champion on the pommel horse.

Forman and Maziel are captains.

"They also help me out in the practice room with younger gymnasts who do not have as much experience," said Buscaglia.

Also returning for North are junior Ryan Brown (rings, parallel bars, and pommel horse) and freshman Brandon O'Brien (high bars, floor, vault).

"Williamsville North wouldn't have won in the past without the depth that we have," said Buscaglia.

Sophomore Kyle Zee makes his varsity debut and will compete on floor, pommel horse, and rings. North finished 8-0 last year.

Williamsville South

The Billies debut two gymnasts who are no strangers to the sport.

Level 9 gymnasts Cody Stumpf and Nathaniel Roberson, both seventh graders, will compete in all-around. Cody is the younger brother of Keith Stumpf, last year's Section VI and New York State all-around champion, and son of Kurt Stumpf, a founder of Stumpf's Gymnastics.

Buscaglia said Stumpf and Roberson. who train at Stumpf's, should finish in the top four in all-around at sectionals and make the state meet in some event.

"They're rookies but do not compete like ones," said Buscaglia. "They'll be right up there with Jared and Michael competing for a top four spot."

Eighth grader Austin Aungst returns and can compete anywhere Buscaglia needs him.

"He does the best he can, has a lot of fun and is another score to help out the team," said Buscaglia.

"He's very young and learning so every year he gets better."

South finished third in the league last year at 3-5.

Williamsville East

East graduated a Soh and debuts another. Jonathan Soh graduated after three years on the team. His younger brother, freshman Chris, is new to the team and the sport.

"He's just going to try to do the best he can," said Buscaglia. "We're just happy that he's out for the team."

Buscaglia said he is going to try to get Soh to compete all-around.

"We'll take it meet by meet so there's no high expectations," said Buscaglia.

East finished 1-7 last year.

Buscaglia said the ultimate goal for all three Williamsville teams are to have sectional place finishers and qualify as many as they can to the state meet.

"With Clarence, its going to be a lot tougher," said Buscaglia. "They're working hard and in the sport of gymnastics, anything can happen."

Williamsville 2006 Schedule 9-29 at Hamburg Invitational 5 p.m. 10-6 at Hamburg w/Shaker 5 p.m. 10-12 Clarence .................. 5 p.m. 10-17 Amherst ................... 5 p.m. 10-19 at Amherst w/Hamburg.. 5 p.m. 10-24 Hamburg.................. 5 p.m. 10-26 at Clarence (South) w/Amherst ......................... 5 p.m. 11-3 at Section VI Championships ........ 5 p.m. (Will. South) * All home meets are at South.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com