By Abram Waller
Gymnastics, which has struggled in the past, has lost momentum as upperclassmen have found other things to do and cannot commit to the program.
Former gymnastics state champion and three-year head coach Bonnie Bridgewater has seen the program in its prime and its decline.
“Our team has kind of dwindled this year,” Coach Bridgewater said. “We started off with 15 and finished the season with 11.”
Remaining on the team are freshmen and sophomores who have lost practice time because they do not have a manager to help them set up.
“I think [other gymnasts] were more involved last year,” sophomore and second-year gymnast Asia Farmer said. “Some people aren’t committed, so they don’t come [to practice] often. On a regular basis about eight show up.”
Coach Diane Miller, another former Blue Devil state champion, said that the underclassmen have shown improvement.
“We need more endurance overall, consistency, and we’re a little limited just by the time we had,” Coach Miller said. “I would say they’ve improved on their confidence and presentation.”
Coach Charlotte Sheppard, another former Blue Devil state champion, said this season has been difficult.
“This has been a season where we have a lot of people who have very little background, so they had a long way to go,” Coach Sheppard said.
A team goal for next season is recruitment of managers.
“Next year I need a full team of managers,” Coach Bridgewater said. “It takes us too long to set up our equipment with the small amount of people.”
Although the team has struggled, the coaches said they will not give up. They are working postseason to prepare for next season, and they are looking for potential gymnasts. Coach Bridgewater wants to get people to fall in love with the sport as she and the other coaches have done.
“Next year we are looking for desire and passion,” Coach Bridgewater said. “I’d rather have an inexperienced team than one that is experienced and not dedicated.”
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