Club gymnastics transition to the high school
Experienced gymnasts prepare for competitions
January 15, 2014
For freshman Talia Simonett, coming from club gymnastics to the high school program is one of better decisions she has made.
“I think it was good coming from an experienced gym to high school because I had more experience and it was easier to (transition) into the high school,” Simonett said.
Because of the stricter rules, Simonett said club gymnastics helped her push herself and gain motivation to improve. Agreeing with Simonett, senior captain Kylie Eldridge said this motivation from club gymnasts helped the overall team.
“It’s nice to have some girls who have competed before because they have a lot of knowledge about gymnastics, (such as) skills and how meets work,” Eldridge said.
Simonett said she thinks her greater background knowledge of how the sport operates helps the athletes coming from a club.
“There are a few freshman and a few seventh graders and all of them have a better background,” Simonett said. “Some high schoolers have never done gymnastics before, so they don’t have as much training.”
Head coach Gretchen Vandeputte said she agrees with Simonett and said background knowledge helps the gymnasts excel. She also said the earlier start for younger gymnasts is beneficial.
“If you look at the Olympic level, those girls are done by 18. So for our seventh and eighth graders there’s an advantage for starting earlier,” Vandeputte said.
As well as having a better knowledge on gymnastics, Simonett said she thinks the previous competitions helps the club gymnast prepare for future high school competitions.
“In club you compete a lot, so you just learn to control your nerves and you’re more confident in yourself when you compete,” Simonett said.
The team’s upcoming away meet will be held at 6:30 pm on Jan. 10. The team will be competing against Irondale.