After the great season the Varsity Gymnastics Team had last year, this season they are on a roll . With the team placing second at states last year, the team is working nonstop to get back to the top and win. So far this season, the team has placed first and second at their meets.
At the beginning of the season, Margie Barnes, coach of the Varsity Gymnastics team, set big goals. “Our goal is the same every year, making it as far as we can in the post season and being the embodiment of Woodgrove’s motto of ‘Work. Honor. Strive.’” Barnes brings the Woodgrove energy into every aspect of competition during their season. She explains how learning her athletes and creating a healthy competitive baseline is how she pushes her gymnasts to their fullest potential. “Giving opportunities for all to contribute and having a constant evolving competitive prerequisite each meet is my formula of motivation,” she shares. As three new freshmen join the team, Barnes shares, “Like everyone, they will contribute and have team roles. I am excited to see these freshmen find their place within the team.”
Freshman Addison Clarke, is joining the team with positive energy and determination. Clarke supports her fellow gymnasts not only as an athlete, but also as a teammate and friend. She explains, “Right now I’m just trying to be a cheerleader and be as helpful as possible and positive as possible.” Being a “cheerleader” is how Clarke contributes to leading the team to success, and being a friend that everyone can rely on. Clarke plans to help push her team to victory with her driving spirit and can-do attitude as she is new on the team. “If one person is down, we’re all down. So my goal is to make sure everyone is 100% ready and confident in themselves to go out and compete to the best of their abilities,” Clarke shared.
Senior Rylee Evans, captain of the Varsity Gymnastics team, plans to have a great year ahead of her, as it is her last year on the team. Evans explains, “I am looking forward to having fun with the sport and watching my teammates grow as gymnasts!” Last year’s team was the first gymnastics team in Woodgrove history to place second at states. As the season goes on, Evans will motivate her team as captain to help get them where they were last year. “I plan to push them by making them aware that although yes, last year’s shoes are big to fill, we can do it as long as everyone stays focused and puts in all their effort,” Evans explained.
The gymnastics team will continue to support each other throughout the season with a positive attitude and a hard work ethic. Clarke shares how the team is very supportive after excelling with a routine, saying, “The second you’re done saluting [the judges], everyone is giving you high-fives, fist bumps, and even some hugs.” Clarke also shares that even if a routine does not go as planned, her teammates and coaches are always there to reassure each other.
As the season comes to a close, the team will be at constant work getting them to states and winning the top spot. The team did an outstanding job placing first at Districts and breaking the school record with a total of 145.05 team points at Regionals, alongside placing first. This team could not get enough because not only did their team qualify for states, but also two individual gymnasts, Rylee Evans and Hadley Ayotte, put the work in to pave their way to compete individually at states. Evans placed 5th on the floor to top it off.
In addition to the individual placing, the team finished 3rd place at States. Finishing the season strong, even though they fell short at States. While there are many graduating seniors leaving, there is growth and ambition to what the new team brings to the future of Woodgrove Gymnastics.
