BY ED WRIGHT
Jan. 15, 2010, 3:30 a.m.

  New decade, same old results for Canton's gymnastics team.

  Which is a good thing considering the Chiefs were one of the most consistently strong units in the state during the previous decade.

  Led by a core of returning all-around stars like Robyn Piwowar, Cathy Huang, Mallory Hudak and Kali Pearce, combined with a group of talented first-year performers, Canton has flipped, somersaulted and vaulted its way to a 4-0 start heading into Saturday's Farmington Invitational.

  That's par for the course for a team that regularly finishes in the top 10 at the Division 1 state meet and placed eighth last year following a 9-3 regular season.

  "We picked up some girls with club experience, which always helps," said Canton coach John Cunningham. "Some of the new girls haven't competed in a year or two, but they seem to be finding the groove again.

  "We don't have any super-elite gymnasts, but we have a lot of very, very good gymnasts."

  Piwowar, a junior captain, has hit the mat running again this season, piling up several sterling all-around scores. Not surprisingly, she also earned a spot on the school's exclusive record board thanks to a 9.725 floor-exercise routine earlier this season.

  "It wouldn't surprise me if Robyn breaks Katie Gilles' 1995 all-around record, too," said Cunningham. "She's that good."

  Huang has been a little banged up physically during the early going, but once she's 100 percent, the Chiefs will have as potent a one-two punch as there is in the region.

  Two of the top newcomers are freshman Alex Fideler and sophomore Ayanna Lewis, both of whom have already made their mark in the results column for the Chiefs.

  "Alex is coming straight out of club gymnastics, so there is an adjustment period," said Cunningham. "She's a very good gymnast, so my expectations for her are exceptional.

  "Ayanna is a tiger. She's been out of gymnastics for about a year and a half, but she is picking it back up very quickly. I'm looking forward to her being very successful."

  Another first-year gymnast with club experience is Nicole Lasecki, who will be one of the Chiefs' top six this winter.

  Cunningham raved about the versatility and creativity of Hudak, a senior captain.

  "She can do anything," the veteran coach said. "She'll literally make up tricks and want to put them in her routines right away. She's tremendous on the vault and she has a great routine on the bars."

  Kylie Hakala is the third captain. The four-year performer is an incredible asset to the team, Cunningham said.

  "She's definitely in our top eight," he said. "She's one of those kids who's into everything -- piano lessons, skating...she does it all."

  Among the team's other top athletes are twin sisters Brooke and Brittany Granowicz; sophomore Marina Milad and Pearce, who is one of the team's top performers on the beam and in the floor exercise.