After sending alumna Alexis Albright to compete at the state level last winter, Varsity Gymnastics, led by head coach Robin Lusk-Stancil, is tumbling back into the competition with hopes to accomplish even more than they did in past seasons.
Last year, the gymnasts placed fourth at regionals with an overall score of 132.150 and are starting to kick off preparation for this season’s meets. Beginning the season with a home meet against Landstown, Kellam, and Cox, the ladies will take on Class 5A teams such as First Colonial, Kempsville, and Bayside.
“Every day, we begin by running and doing cardio for floor routine endurance,” said Stancil. “We stretch for about 20 minutes and then work on floor, vault, bars, and beam.”
Stancil emphasized the importance of the team’s warm-up routine to prevent injury and avoid setbacks later in the season.
“Since gymnastics involves so much kicking, jumping, and splitting, we have to make sure the girls are really stretched so that they do not get injured or pull a muscle,” said Stancil. “Each event has warm-up elements to prepare, [such as] dance, tumbling, [and] rhythm. We also incorporate strength training to aid in the next level of skill development.”
Having a strong warm-up routine does not solely comprise a great gymnast, but also the possession of certain qualities to be successful in such a competitive, demanding sport. According to Complete Gymnastics, “strength, flexibility, and powerfulness” are some of the physical characteristics a gymnast should exhibit, but perhaps the most important quality a gymnast needs to possess is one not clearly visible: mental toughness.
“A successful gymnast needs to possess a strong mental fortitude and willingness,” said senior co-captain Samantha Brown. “It can be intimidating jumping up onto a four-inch wide beam, but if you push that fear out, you can find success in the sport.”
Brown also noted the need to have “a sense of humor,” as if “you laugh when you inevitably fall,” it makes the sport all the more enjoyable.
“I would say the most important qualities to become a successful gymnast are determination, persistence, and commitment,” said junior co-captain Amelia Hayes, agreeing with Brown. “Having these [qualities] can boost not only yourself but your teammates as you continue to work hard throughout the season.”
Even though working at gaining these attributes can be tiresome and mentally draining for some gymnasts, it sounds like these SunDevils have all they need to succeed.
“All of these athletes push themselves to learn new skills quickly, and they want to be out there competing,” said Stancil. “They are fast learners and great mentors to each other, [but] their relationships are the team’s best asset.”
As mentioned by Hayes, the team has already made both mental and physical progression despite only having competed in one meet.
“I think our team has improved tremendously this season,” said Hayes. “Many girls are continuing to achieve new skills and others are perfecting their current ones.”
The ladies are not only looking forward to adding to their personal skill sets but also watching fellow teammates add to their own, all while making life-long memories along the way. Brown expressed her excitement about “watching returning teammates expand on what they already know,” as well as watching the “newbies this year who all have potential.”
As for Stancil, her eagerness toward the season mainly stems from the fact that she gets to watch the ladies grow and mature not only as gymnasts, but as young women.
“I get to spend three or four years with these athletes and watch them evolve into team leaders and mentors,” said Stancil. “I get to watch them fall in love, or back in love, with gymnastics. It’s the kind of sport that gets in your soul. I get to watch these athletes experience that. I love that we get to celebrate every new victory that these amazing people achieve.”
Please come out to support and cheer on Varsity Gymnastics this season to see Stancil and the ladies in action. Consider catching their meets today, Thursday, Jan. 18th at Bayside, or on Thursday, Jan. 25th at Tallwood. Tickets are sold on GoFan.
