South's roster small in numbers, loaded with talent
Boys Gymnastics
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

With only two gymnasts comprising Williamsville South this fall, you would think the Billies have no chance of winning any meets. Think again.

Eighth graders Nathaniel Roberson and Cody Stumpf are so good they should be able to challenge for second place in the Section VI Boys Gymnastics League, said Williamsville coach Joe Buscaglia.

"I can't say enough about both of them," said Buscaglia. "They're two of the best gymnasts in the section so I expect them to have some great meets, especially at the sectional and state level."

Both excelled in their rookie seasons last year. Stumpf took third all-around and won parallel bars at the Section VI Championships and placed third on vault, fourth on high bar and tied for fourth on floor exercise at regionals. Roberson finished second on rings, third on pommel horse and tied for fourth on parallel bars at sectionals and placed second on pommel horse and seventh on floor and rings at regionals.

Buscaglia believes Stumpf or Roberson has the best shot at wrapping up an all-around spot for Section VI at regionals.

Williamsville North

The Spartans lost years of high school experience with the graduation of Jarred Forman and Michael Maziel.

Forman, who was on North for five years, was second in all-around at sectionals and a regional champion in rings last fall. Maziel, a six-year member of the roster, won the pommel horse at sectionals and regionals.

The Spartans only return Brandon O'Brien, who, as a sophomore, is the veteran of all three Williamsville teams. O'Brien's best finish at sectionals last year was a fifth place finish on vault. O'Brien will compete in all-around this season.

Making their debuts on North are freshmen all-around gymnasts Joey Chearmonte and Matthew McFarland. Both compete at the club level at Greater Buffalo Gymnastics.

"They have some big shoes to fill but I think they can do it," said Buscaglia. "I'm excited to have them on the team."

North finished 8-2 in 2006, good enough for second place during the regular season.

Williamsville East

Newcomer Spencer Kieffer is the lone East gymnast. The freshman also competes in club gymnastics at Greater Buffalo. Kieffer will compete in all-around. East went 0-10 last year.

Despite the low numbers for Williamsville, Buscaglia said younger gymnasts in sixth grade should join as early as next year. (You have to be at least a seventh grader and pass selective classification tests to compete on a varsity team.)

Gymnastics is growing in Section VI. Clarence began a program last year. Could Sweet Home be next?

"There are three boys on their girls team so I see no reason why Sweet Home couldn't set up a program, even if they worked out with the girls and came to our meets," said Buscaglia, the Section VI boys gymnastics chair.
Williamsville 2007 Schedule
9-28 at Hamburg Invite.... 5 p.m.
10-4 South, East, North at Hamburg
.................................... 5 p.m.
10-11 Clarence, East, North at
South .................................. 5 p.m.
10-16 Amherst, East, North at
South .................................. 5 p.m.
10-19 Hamburg, South, East,
North at Amherst ............. 5 p.m.
10-23 Hamburg, East, North at
South .................................. 5 p.m.
10-26 South, East, North, Amherst
at Clarence (South).......... 5 p.m.
11-2 Section VI Championships
(South) ............................... 5 p.m.
11-10 Regional Championships
(Brockport State College) 10 a.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com