By Michael Lewis
There were a ton of emotions going through the head of Roslyn senior Shani Sirota as she came off the floor at the state championships in Buffalo on March 5.
She was finishing an incredible scholastic career that saw Sirota win three Nassau County championships, and advance to the New York state championships three times.
And as she approached the vault for the final time in her career, Sirota said the emotions were hitting her.
“I was sad as I was waiting for (the vault) because I knew it was over,” Sirota said. “I really didn’t want to fall on the vault! Once it was over, I was relieved and really proud of my career. I think the emotion of it being over is still hitting me.”
For me, there were happy tears at the end,” said Roslyn gymnastics coach Stephanie Orfini. “You’re sad to see her go, but happy in all that she’s accomplished. I could never ask for more than what she’s given me.”
For Sirota, this year’s states went extremely well. Competing in all four of the apparatuses, she placed in the top 8 in two of them: Sirota nabbed a fourth-place finish in vault and a fifth-place finish on floor exercises.
Her overall all-around score of 36.725 was good for eighth at states.
“I did as well as I could and I had as much fun as I could, knowing it was my last time,” Sirota said. “Always want to do better, but I was happy.”
“You can’t end your career any better than she did,” Orfini added. “She goes to states and lands all four of his routines. It was so great to see.”
As a freshman in 2019, Sirota won first place at states in floor exercises, and in both ninth and 10th grades, she finished fourth overall in the state.
That goes along with her three straight county championships, the last coming in February.
“She’s always been this calm, confident athlete,” Orfini said. “She doesn’t get rattled in competition, and she practices like she competes. She’s been wonderful to coach.”
All that success in gymnastics made Sirota a hot prospect among major Division I college programs, with the University of Maryland having the best combination of what she was looking for.
Starting this fall she’ll be competing for the Terrapins and majoring in kinesiology.
“It was the mix of the academics and the program that sold me,” Sirota said. “The gymnastics team was really welcoming and the coaches made it feel like family.”
With her storied career at Roslyn behind her, Sirota said she’s hoping that her college experience is as rewarding as her time with the Bulldogs.
“My teammates and coaches, and the whole support I’ve gotten here was been so great,” Sirota said. “It’s hard to think I won’t be able to compete for Roslyn anymore. But I had such a great time.”
