For most Hingham High School sports, breaking a school record is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. However, over the past two years, the Hingham/Hull gymnastics team has broken the high school’s record three times. It is an understatement to describe the gymnastics team as successful, as not only have they continued to achieve high scores, but they have also built unbreakable friendships, especially between the towns, leaving the athletes counting down until the next winter season.
The 2024-2025 season ended with the Hingham/Hull girls as league champions for the first time in school history. Still, they came up just one spot short of qualifying for the South Sectionals: a statewide final of the 12 best teams in southern Massachusetts. Leaving a bitter taste in their mouths, the seniors graduated, and many thought that was the end of the team’s historic run. They had achieved an unbelievable season, being undefeated, and no one could have predicted they could run it back again.
Going into the 2025-2026 season, many of the gymnasts were just excited to be back in the gym. Charlotte Passeggio is a Hingham High School student on the team who competed in all four events and was the Patriot League All-Star for floor. When asked about her opinion on the season, she stated, “Last year as a freshman, it was a great experience and so much fun to be on the team, and coming back, I was most excited to be back with the girls again. I did not expect us to have the season we did, continuously breaking records, which was amazing, but above all, I could not have dreamed of a more supportive and hard-working group of teammates this year. We made so many memories, and I already cannot wait for next season.”
Although the team had the major accomplishment of winning all their meets but one, going 8-1, they came up just short at the league meet, ending up in second place. Yet, they still ended as league champions for the second time in school history.
In addition, they learned they had qualified for Sectionals for the first time in Hingham history. Although going all the way to Algonquin Regional High School did not give the girls the results for which they had hoped, they enjoyed soaking up every moment as they were honored for reaching such an achievement.
It was not only the athletes who accomplished so much; Coach Boyd was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year, and Coach Hennessy was named the Assistant Coach of the Year.
Grace Zimmerman, a freshman at Hingham who consistently competed in three of the four events, said, “I am so happy that the coaches earned the awards because they have always been so proud, supportive, and helpful at every practice and meet. There is nobody more deserving!”
Finally, although none of it would have been possible without every single athlete at every meet, Grace Whiting has been a standout on the team all season. She was an all-around performer, competing in all four events, and she was named the Patriot League MVP, also breaking the school record for the highest beam score with 9.5. She had an incredible season, and everyone cannot wait to see what is in store for her as she continues her gymnastics career at Hingham.
Other standouts on the team included sophomore Vivien Nicholas, who returned to the sport after four years and competed in three of the four events throughout the year, as well as Jessica Scipione, who consistently achieved high scores on bars and beam. Captains Ava Pappone and Leah Frady led the team through all the meets, giving constant support, and the new freshman additions performed well in their selected events.
Each athlete is already counting down the days until next season, ready to accomplish everything they set out to do as a team.
