WHS gymnastic team is long on experience

  • brian questel
  • December 15, 2010
  • 298
                        
122010 Gymnastics Promo: Generals will field veteran gymnastics team WHS gymnastic team is long on experience By Brian Questel Change is never easy, especially when a program has gone through a period of success. That’s the position the Wooster High gymnastics team finds itself in after Megan Hackett stepped down as head coach following the birth of her second child. With the elevation of assistant coach Debbie Knapic, though, that transition should be a little easier. “It’s been a challenging fall,” said Knapic. “(Athletic director) Keri Hamsher told me, ‘You’re the assistant, if no one steps into the open position, it defaults to you. Instead of defaulting, I thought I’d apply for it.’ “It’s not like you go and do it – (gymnastics is) a niche (sport).” Knapic started in gymnastics in Wadsworth before competing four years at Rittman High School. When she started her daughter in the sport at the Wooster Y, “That’s how Megan and I met,” said Knapic. “We coached a couple years at the Y with the little kids,” said Knapic. After Hackett moved to the high school and became head coach, “(Megan) asked me to help with the high school girls, and I was an assistant for three years. It was an easy transition.” The Generals, who were unbeaten last year, have advanced to districts five consecutive years. The chances are good they can make it six in a row since the team returns virtually intact. “We lost one senior, Tori Wright, but other than that everyone else is back,” said Knapic. “We have 11 girls out, including four seniors.” Those four seniors -- Emily McIlvaine, Jenna Wengerd, Alyssa Reed and Mackenzie Tomblin – will all be seeking their fourth letter. Emalee Higgs is the lone junior, and the remaining six team members are all sophomores -- Becky Jolliff, Madison Shank, Jess Gerber, Kristen Mullen, Abby Brereton and Kareema Ellis. A obvious concern, though, is that there are no freshmen. “That’s where it gets hard, especially in gymnastics,” said Knapic. “The girls have to do things all year round. Gymnastics is not one of those sports where you can get into high school and think, ‘I’m going to try gymnastics.’ We had a couple girls come out for conditioning, but when they came to the open gyms and tried the skills, they were, ‘Wow.’ We have a handful of girls who have done private clubs chose to do that or they’re burned out. Some chose competitive cheer stuff.” That aside, Knapic is looking forward to a solid season. “I think we will be very good,” said Knapic. “Unfortunately we did lose to Cloverleaf (132.4-131.15) last Thursday, which probably cost us the league title. Unfortunately, it was our first meet. You hope to have something under your belt before you get to your biggest rival, but we’ll see them at sectionals. “It’s given us something to think about. We were undefeated last year … we’ll need to work harder to be who we think we are.” The experience and depth on this team should be able to help in that regards. “The majority of girls do all-around,” said Knapic. “The nice thing is the depth on the team is phenomenal. If someone tweaks an ankle, the next girl in line has an almost comparable routine to get a good score. Our floor routines are always great. Our bars are strong, we’re improving on the beam and our vault is good if we don’t go crazy and try and do mega flips. Every event right now we’re sitting well. “Right now I’ve made everyone do the all-around, even ones didn’t want to, in case we might need them so we’re set there.” That experience and abilities in the all-around could make the difference as the season moves on. “They know the expectations and really know what they have to do to get there,” Kapok added. “No matter what they do, day-in and day-out, they can’t lose sight of the fact it will be February before we know it.” Wooster’s first home match will be Dec. 20 against Massillon and then Dec. 28 against Triway.


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