NFA gymnastics coach enjoying eye-opening season
FRANKLIN ― There was a whirlwind of activity inside the cavernous Thames Valley Academy facility during a recent girls high school gymnastics meet between Norwich Free Academy, Woodstock Academy, and Killingly.
But the high-flying action seemed to come to a halt when Wildcats freshman Trinity Ambruso stepped on the mat for her floor exercise routine. Yes, all eyes were on Ambruso, who turned in another dazzling and entertaining performance.
It has certainly been an eye-opening season for Wildcats first-year coach Tandi Carignan.
“I’m really enjoying it,” Carignan said. “It’s been really fun. Now that the kids know me and they trust me I’m hoping next year we can get off to an even smoother start.”
Carignan taught at Plainfield High School for 16 years before landing a teaching job at NFA. She holds a master’s degree in secondary science education from Eastern Connecticut State University and a bachelor’s degree in environmental marine biology from the University of Connecticut.
Carignan also trained and competed nationally through USAG level 8 and has more than 20 years of coaching experience at Thames Valley Academy, Kids Rule and Frog Bridge Gymnastics.
NFA Athletic Director Roy Wentworth didn’t have to search far when he needed a gymnastics coach following the departure of popular Wildcat alum Cindy Briggs, who relocated with her husband and family.
“Tandi has the energy, the experience and the philosophy needed to succeed,” Wentworth said.
Building trust with the Norwich Free Academy gymnasts
Carignan had to quickly get up to speed — club rules and scoring are much different at the high school level — and earn trust from her gymnasts.
“It was challenging learning a whole new set of rules,” Carignan said. “And there was a lot of fear and trepidation (when Cindy left). My goal was really to get to know the kids and build a foundation of trust because with gymnastics if I tell a kid who doesn't trust me to reach a different way or to stretch a different way or I’ll catch them on the beam to just try this skill … without that foundation of trust they’re not going to be able to do anything.
"I really wanted to work and build relationships so that they know that I’m not going to tell them something that they can't do or that’s something I don't feel is safe,” she said.
Carignan has relied on assistant coach and former Wildcat Emma McMillan, senior co-captains Sarah Fedeli and Patrice Carrignan, and the high school gymnastics coaching community during her first season.
“Emma has been incredible with her knowledge of high school gymnastics. We’re super lucky to have her,” Carignan said. “And the whole high school coaching community has also been incredible. Other coaches are willing to say what skills we need to score well. Everyone looks out for each other. I feel comfortable calling my competitors and saying, ‘hey, what do you think of this routine.’”
NFA gymnastics team is pulling together
Ambruso, and fellow talented freshman Allison Wojnar, have given the Wildcats a big scoring boost this season. Ambruso, who is thriving in the spotlight, is ranked No. 2 in the state in the All-Around.
NFA’s rotating scoring lineup has also been bolstered by sophomores Jayla Davis and Gracyn Goodale, junior Morgan Sadler, and Fedeli, who is competing in all four events consistently for the first time this year.
“We have some new girls on the team and the kids are so willing to help each other,” Carignan said. “They’re hard working and amazing athletes and they are also nice and kind. They cheered for everyone at the meet. They’re great kids.”
The Wildcats roster also includes juniors Gracy Reed Fisher and Ja’Ryee Silva, sophomores Haeleigh Fowler, Alana Lindo, Rylee Snyder, and Jasmine Wen; and freshmen Madison Ayer, London Camp, Olivia Goderre, Elizabeth Herens, Nova Johnson-Abrams, and Brooklyn Watson.
Newcomers are welcome to try gymnastics
“The team is welcome to all,” said Carignan, who is hoping to start a junior varsity or alternate team to get her gymnasts more competition opportunities. “We have club kids and kids learning gymnastics for the first time. No one gets cut.”
Carignan is looking forward to the rest of the season, which includes the ECC championship meet (Sunday at Thames Valley), the upcoming state divisional meet, which the Wildcats have qualified for, and the State Open for individual qualifiers.
The Wildcats new coach is also well aware of NFA’s rich tradition of high school gymnastics success.
“My second goal really is to start building our program back up,” Carignan said. “It’s important that our kids are performing their personal best, whether if that means we win or if we don’t, that’s great. As long as my kids are going out there and working their personal best and improving on their personal self. And that’s exactly what has been happening. Looking at the scores, everyone is showing continual improvement. I love it.”
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Free Academy first-year coach earning gymnasts' trust
