By Jean DePlacido
What exactly is a Tigerfish?
The most common definition is a class of African fish that are fierce predators with distinctive markings. But there are other Tigerfish — graceful, powerful gymnasts who compete for the Gloucester-Ipswich co-operative team.
When Liana Jaeger of Ipswich was an eighth grader, she was upset to learn there was no high school gymnastics program available in her town. She has loved the sport since beginning at age four, and the prospect of not being able to compete for her high school team was something she didn't want to think about.
Instead of sitting back and doing nothing, Jaeger and her mother Pam worked to come up with a solution that has worked out well for all involved.
Gloucester High had a gymnastic teams, but the numbers were low so that the school opted to begin a co-op program with Ipswich.
Jaeger is now a senior captain and the top gymnast for the Tigerfish — a name chosen to include both the Gloucester Fishermen and Ipswich Tigers.
"Then we needed a logo for our new team," said Jaeger, "and our (former) coach (Christian Way) designed a really cool one that's on our T-shirts and jackets of a tiger swimming under water.
"We work out at Iron Rail Gymnastics in Magnolia, so even before we were competing together we all knew each other. That made it a lot easier because we started talking and became friends even before we were teammates."
"I've never done any other sports; it's always been gymnastics," Jaeger added. "I really didn't want to think about going through high school without experiencing the sense of pride that competing for your school provides."
This season there are seven members competing for the Tigerfish: five from Gloucester High (including team co-captain Kelly Benson, a GHS junior), as well as Jaeger and junior Mary Krathwohl from Ipswich.
"We're small but very talented," said current head coach Helen Bess, who was the Tigerfish's assistant last season. "We'd love to have more girls from both Gloucester and Ipswich because the more kids on the team, the deeper we can be on each event.
"This is a great group to coach. Our combined team means both towns get to have a program; maybe either of them wouldn't have otherwise."
Both Jaeger and Krathwohl definitely agree with their coach. The team is doing well, and so are the two Tigers.
In a recent 139.05-125.8 victory over Salem, Jaeger recorded her season-high on bars with a score of 9.5 while also having one of her best efforts on floor (9.2). Krathwohl's scores were also high in her three events: an 8.85 on vault, 7.8 on beam and 8.5 on floor.
"My favorite event is bars because I like trying new skills that nobody else does," said Jaeger, who has a 4.29 grade point average and says Brown University and the University of Virginia are at the top of her college list.
"We have a few sayings we use to get each other psyched up during meets. 'When did you get so good?' is one we love to say. Everybody is so supportive of each other. The good thing about being on such a small team is we have become almost like a family. Our parents go to all the meets and have all become good friends, too."
Recently the Tigerfish beat Hamilton-Wenham, a team that also practices at Iron Rail. Jaeger led the way with first-place finishes on beam, vault and bars.
Jaeger said she's not sure if she'll continue gymnastics in college, citing the wear and tear it takes on a body. Instead, she's focused on enjoying "every minute of this season" to the fullest. That includes preserving their memories forever on film.
"We're so lucky to have our own paparazzi," Jaeger joked. "Thom Falzarano and his son come to all our meets and Thom takes great pictures of us, which adds a whole new level of excitement. He told us of all the sports he takes photos of gymnastics is the most demanding, and he appreciates the level of skill required. That's such a nice compliment to give us."
