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Gymnastics has been flying high this season despite a shortage of gymnasts.
Only 13 out of 32 girls were eligible to practice and compete in the April 15 meet because the remaining 19 failed to complete their physicals, according to senior JV gymnast Jessica Noss. This was discovered only one day before the meet at Gymtowne Gymnastics against Burlingame, Mercy and Half Moon Bay High Schools.
Nonetheless, varsity won first place in the meet, scoring 132. The addition of three varsity freshmen provided a needed boost to the team. JV scored second with 171.25 at the meet with the help of many returning JV gymnasts. JV also placed second against St. Francis High School in a home game on April 19. Currently, most of the girls have completed their physicals and are attending practices.
The JV team pulled off a huge win at its first meet against the Los Altos Eagles on April 7 at the Eagles’ home court, scoring 166.5 to 129.2. Varsity, without the same luck, lost 134.6 to 139.35.
Gymnasts overall felt this meet was successful. “For a first meet, it was good,” senior JV gymnast Judy Lei said.
However, there were several technical issues at the meet. “There were some problems with scoring and timing on one of the events, and the judges seemed really tough,” senior JV gymnast Denise Chan said.
Coaches Lesley DeDios and Cecilia Coles were proud of the teams and looked pleased, according to senior JV gymnast Annie Ye. “The coaches see the first meet of the season as a way to get back into the competing mindset and a warm-up for the rest of the season,” Chan said. “How well we performed didn't matter as much to them as it will later in the season.”
The teams are staying optimistic despite their setbacks. “Our goals are to improve our scores, gain confidence, stop falling off the beam and just do our best,” Noss said.
The teams are also making participation a high priority this season. “We want everyone to be in at least one event,” Lei said.
Catch JV gymnastics at 5 p.m. on May 7 at Gymtowne Gym in South San Francisco for the North JV Santa Clara Valley Athletic League Competition.
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