ANDOVER - The roles are reversed, but the excitement has returned for Andover gymnastics.

Three years ago, it was senior Libby Fortier leading the way with hot-shot freshman Carly Verrette in a supporting role as the Golden Warriors finished undefeated in the Merrimack Valley Conference and placed fourth at the state meet.

This year, Andover has surged behind a freshman, Jenn Quirnbach, while Verrette - with a serious back injury behind her - reprises a supporting role. The Warriors finished second at the Merrimack Valley Conference meet last weekend and should be a factor at next week's North sectional and the state meet to follow.

As a freshman, when she was an honorable mention Eagle-Tribune All-Star, it looked like Verrette might develop into a superstar. But, by the end of her sophomore season, it appeared that her career could be over.

Practicing on the bars as a sophomore, she took a brutal fall, breaking two vertebrae. The injury not only ended her season but put her gymnastics future in doubt. She had to wear a body brace for more than three months and couldn't do anything active for six months.

Such an injury would probably discourage many a gymnast from returning at all, but Verrette "wanted to get back as soon as I could," and worked to that end, building up her strength last year with some fine performances in the floor and vault and enjoying a strong senior campaign.

In addition to competing on the vault and in the floor exercise, she's returned - with some caution - to the bars.

"I don't do everything I'm capable of doing and, if the bars are really slippery, I won't compete," said Verrette, who competed on bars and floor at the state meet as a freshman.

Then why even do it?

"Because it was my favorite event and I still enjoy it," said Verrette, whose father, Glenn, is a member of the Andover High and Holy Cross halls of fame for football and baseball. "Even without doing everything I'd like to, I can still contribute."

According to first-year coach Kristen Vadala, Verrette is a little timid on the bars. "I'm actually impressed that she still does the bars. It must be in the back of her mind," said Vadala, referring to the fall.

Obviously, Verrette isn't thinking about the injury while competing in other events. At the MVC meet, she placed third in the vault with a score of 9.0 and sixth on the floor with a 9.1.

Meanwhile, Verrette said she is impressed with the potential of Quirnbach, who placed sixth in the all-around at the conference meet.

"She'll be one of the best around before she's through," said Verrette, who was a football cheerleader in the fall.

For now, Quirnbach is good enough to help lead the Warriors, with help from Verrette and others, as a strong contender for the sectional and state meets.

"This has been a great year for us and it should continue," said Verrette. "We're all very talented and the new coaching has really helped. They push us to do skills we have the ability to do but might not have tried. The practices are harder and I think we have a closer team."

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North Sectionals

When: Next Friday, 6 p.m.

Where: Beverly High

Seeds: 1. Chelmsford 146.04 average, 2. Masconomet 144.975, 3. Danvers 143.445, 4. Hamilton-Wenham 142.295, 5. North Andover 140.2625, 6. Andover 139.4, 7. Acton-Boxboro 139.125, 8. Gloucester 138.42, 9. Reading 137.575, 10. Salem 137.45, 11. Winthrop 137.4, 12. Newton South 136.95