The Head of the Class; Knights edge Glastonbury in Class L rivalry

By John Goralski Sports Writer Fan packed into the seats alongside the beam and crowded into the spaces between mats. Spectators huddled in every open space just to catch a glimpse of the regular season rivalry between Glastonbury gymnasts and  the Lady Knights. Most pundits predict that the Class L title will come down to one of these programs, and on Saturday, Jan. 18, fans were treated to a special preview. “It’s our biggest meet of the year, and it’s our rival team,” said Southington gymnastics coach Kaitlyn O’Donnell. “I think that this is the most people that have come out to see us at a regular season meet in a really long time, and I think it helped.” The Knights wasted no time. Lexi Rothstein hit her vault (9.15), and Marilyn Sporbert (9.1) matched Glastonbury’s top vaulter. Marilyn Sporbert (9.1) and Vicky Castillo (8.8) scored, and the Knights eclipsed the Tomahawks but a full point on vault. “We did our harder routines tonight, and I think that helped us,” O’Donnell said. “Then, the energy was really high tonight, and that seemed to lift us.” Castillo (9.0) anchored the Knights on bars. Rothstein (8.8), Kayla Nati (8.75), and Taryn Meenan [...]