by Kate McCormick
The gymnastics team almost doubled its numbers, and with their new coaches, it also grew in strength.
Last year, the Blue Devils competed with the minimum number of gymnasts allowed. Returning team members said that their improved performance is due to Coach Bonnie Bridgewater.
“She’s a lot stricter and makes sure we try our hardest because she knows that we can do it,” sophomore gymnast Haley Link said.
Coach Bridgewater, who teaches at Varina Elementary School, is a former state gymnastics champion. Assistant coaches Dana Miller and Charlotte Sheppard are also former state gymnastics champions.
Coach Bridgewater previously worked three seasons (1981-1983) with Varina gymnasts. After leaving Varina, she continued coaching gymnastics for 23 years followed by a seven-year break from coaching. When Director of Student Activities Kevin Adams asked Mrs. Bridgewater to coach the girls last summer, she was ready to return to the sport.
In her first year on the team, junior Ashley Loving competed in floor, beam, uneven bars and vault. She has become passionate about competing on the team thanks to Coach Bridgewater.
“Coach Bridgewater has brought us together and made us all want to become better gymnasts. I think we are strongest in being there for each other,” Ashley said.
Mrs. Bridgewater is modest about the team’s success, which she attributes to the athletes.
“They have really good potential to be very good gymnasts. They are strong, and they have the desire to improve. It takes desire to improve and passion for the sport, and I think they have that,” Coach Bridgewater said.
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