Newtown High School’s gymnastics program has a new head coach with former club gymnast Tricia Harrity taking over this winter. Harrity competed for the Manettes at Philadelphia Gymnastics Center since her high school did not have a team, and went on to compete at University of Massachusetts, Amherst as a Division I all-around gymnast.

She coached at Massachusetts Gymnastics Center in Boston, and Mountain Center in Fort Collins, Colo. Harrity moved with her husband to Newtown after graduate school and they have raised two children here.

Harrity is excited to coach the Nighthawks, who are led by captain Bella Mussio-Martins. A returning senior, Mussio-Martins competes on floor exercise, vault, and balance beam, and is working on building her skills on the uneven bars.

The Nighthawks, described by their coach as a small but mighty team, include Sadie Boyajain (junior, all around), Ellie Ehret (sophomore, all around), Eva Fenaroli (junior, vault, beam, floor exercise), Bri Schoffstahl (junior, all around), and Addie Strychaisky (sophomore, all around).

“Our goals for the season are to positively represent Newtown High School, practice and perform to the best of our ability, build a strong team culture, and, most importantly, have fun,” Harrity said. “I am very excited for my role as coach of the NHS girls’ gymnastics team. Gymnastics has had a positive impact on my life, and I am looking forward to working with team members to provide them with a positive growth experience. Gymnastics offers many lessons that can be applied to life, including resilience, perseverance, goal setting, and teamwork, lessons I hope team members will learn during their time competing for NHS.”

Longtime Head Coach Kim Kane remains on board as an assistant coach.

The Nighthawks open the season Tuesday, December 30 at Newtown Gymnastics Academy with a 12:30 pm competition against Brookfield, Danbury, New Milford, Oxford, and Pomperaug of Southbury.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.