Athlete of the Week - Brianna Miclette

GHS senior Brianna Miclette finished fifth overall at a multi-school invitational on Feb. 10.  Photo: Glastonbury Sports Photography. 

Brianna Miclette, a senior gymnast from Glastonbury High School, finished in 5th place overall at the Winter/Valentine Invitational on Feb. 10 at Whiting Lane Elementary in West Hartford. 

Miclette had an all-around score of 32.45, finishing ahead of nearly 50 other gymnasts at the local invite that featured GHS and six other schools. 

Finishing in the top-five was a bit of a surprise for Miclette, who was familiar with the stiff competition at the local invite. 

“I wasn’t really expecting it because the other teams have really good kids and really good skills. A lot of them are really talented,” added Miclette, “It was really cool, but it was really unexpected.” 

Along with her top-five finish overall, Miclette also placed fifth individually in the balance beam, scoring 8.40. She also posted an 8.30 in the floor routine, 8.05 in the vault, and 7.70 in the bars. 

Coming into her final season at GHS, Miclette said she felt more comfortable in most of the events but has expanded her skills under new head coach Dana Jackson.

She is familiar with the coaching style of Jackson, who also coaches at Gymnastics Express Too where Miclette’s does club gymnastics. 

Jackson said that Miclette has delivered in and out of competition this winter.

“Bri is a very powerful and clean gymnast,” stated Jackson. “She has really shown improvement and consistency on all events, especially floor. She is great at being a team leader and helping keep things organized off the floor.”
Jackson is in her first year leading the program, taking over for longtime coach Yvette Sima.

Miclette said that both coaches have been “amazing” with helping in her development during her time at GHS.

The Guardians placed third overall as a team at the invite and Miclette was one of four GHS gymnasts to place in the top-25.

Macey Burns (31.90) placed 9th, Sydney Salazar (31.20) placed 12th, and Anna Edwards (28.00) placed 23rd.   

Miclette said the team is talented in all the events this year and said she has enjoyed being a senior leader this winter. 

She is one of three seniors, joining Olivia Aselton and Veronica Thomas, who have mentored the next generation of gymnasts and have helped program during the coaching transition.

“It feels like everyone is friends,” Miclette said of the team. “It’s been cool. Overall it’s been nice and l like that we are all close.”

Three days after the invite, the team defeated Wethersfield 128.45-115.15.

Miclette scored the best overall floor routine, posting an 8.45. Salazar posted a high score of 8.5 on the beam, Thomas posted a high score of 8.02 on the bars, and Edwards posted a high score of 8.4 in the vault. 

Jackson said the team has done a good job of embracing the “next girl up mentality” this season as the team has overcome both illnesses and injuries. 

“We’ve really found our groove. We work really well together,” added Jackson. “The girls have done a great job of helping each other out.”

The next step for the GHS gymnasts is the Connecticut Interscholastic Association Conference (CIAC) Divisional Championships this Saturday, Feb. 25 at Jonathan Law High School

​The State Open Championships are the following weekend, Saturday, March 4, in New Milford.