Patchogue-Medford Sends Three Gymnasts to States for First Time in 19 Years

The Patchogue-Medford Raiders gymnastics team has plenty to celebrate after three of its athletes earned spots on the Suffolk County team for the New York State Championships, marking a major milestone for the program.

Six Patchogue-Medford gymnasts qualified for the individual county championships last Friday, where they competed for the opportunity to represent Suffolk County at the state level. Three Raiders rose to the occasion and punched their tickets to the New York State Championships, scheduled for February.

Sophomore Adrienne Gapo earned her spot on the state team in the balance beam, while fellow sophomore Brianna McLoughlin qualified in the floor exercise. Junior Ginna Gonzalez had an especially strong showing, earning state-team spots in two events: the balance beam and vault.

The achievement is particularly meaningful for Patchogue-Medford, as it marks the first time in 19 years that a Raiders gymnast has qualified for the state team. Having three athletes earn that distinction in the same season makes the accomplishment even more special.

For the three qualifiers, the next stop is the state championship stage, where they will have the opportunity to compete against some of the top gymnasts in New York. Their performances also reflect the hard work and dedication that have helped the Patchogue-Medford program reach this milestone.

With three representatives heading to states, the Raiders will have plenty of reason to follow the action when February arrives. It's a significant moment for the