The girls gymnastics team is currently preparing for conference, regional, sectionals, and state meets.

In order to prepare for these upcoming competitions, the team takes a different approach to practice.  “We try to do a lot more routines instead of tricks and try to perfect what we have,” said Kim Estoque, girls gymnastics coach.

On competition days the team trains differently in order to accomplish what they need in the meets and do their best.  “When we have competitions, we’ll do a lot of full routines leading up to it, and then the day before try not to get too sore beforehand,” said Alex Yager, a junior varsity one and two gymnast.

According to Estoque, the teams goals are to be the  top three in conference,  win regionals, and make it to state. “ I hope we can get first at state this year.  To achieve this goal we have to practice hard and keep are heads in the game,” said Kaley Peterson, junior varsity two gymnast.

“My goals for conference and other big meets are to just not mess up on the little things and to stay consistent because a couple tenths can seperate who wins and who doesn’t,” Yager said.

“[To accomplish the goals] we can always work on getting our routines more consistent on each of the events. We’re also all working towards getting new skills that we can hopefully compete later on in the season,” said Cayley Brank, varsity gymnast.

“The best way [to accomplish the goals] is to be consistent and remember things like staying on toe or keeping your head up is to practice how you want to compete,” Yager said.

Another gymnast on junior varsity two, Kaley Peterson, prepares by practicing through the year and by improving at every meet.

The team also faces few obstacles in the way of achieving the goals.  One of the obstacles this year is the limited practice space .  “People get hurt or sick a lot, which can prevent you from practicing or going all out in practice, which is important. Coming back from breaks is also rough,” Yager said.

“I think they learn not to get nervous,” Estoque said.

Yager and Brenk stay positive going into these more important events.  “I try to find something distracting to think about before I start competing to help get my mind off of it,” Yager said.

“We’re going to be positive and focused going into those big meets,” Brenk said.