Posted: 12/11/02

Young gymnasts need to fill voids

Berk Brown
Sports Editor

For the first time in many years, the Forest Lake gymnastics team will not be able to count on Breanna Barott, Jenna Houle or Angela Turry for points.

That fact will make finding newcomers who can step up and fill those voids the point of emphasis for Rangers coach Nancy Ellias.

Forest Lake returns just five letterwinners from last season, which means several young gymnasts will have the opportunity to claim varsity spots this year.

The loss of the three seniors from a year ago also means there is a need for the experienced upperclassmen to take on leadership roles.

ìItís a huge hole, leadership-wise, too,î Ellias said of the loss of last yearís seniors. ìThey had such take-charge attitudes.

ìThis yearís captains, though, are wonderful kids. Theyíre great kids and hard workers.î
Captains Christy Anderson, Katie Bolenbaugh and Betsy Garritsen are three of just eight seniors on the team of 35.

Although just a junior, Rachel Turry is the Rangersí top returning performer from last year. As a sophomore, Turry qualified for state on bars and in the teamís first meet of the year, she was the Rangersí top scorer on both bars and beam.

Ellias said Turry should be shooting for a return to state this season.

ìRachel is already at a higher level now than she was at the end of last year,î Ellias said. ìI really expect her to get back (to state), even as tough as our section is.î

Others who look to be consistent members of the varsity squad this season include many underclassmen.

Seniors Sarah Chaussee, a state qualifier in diving this fall, and Emily Stigall are both proven competitors on vault.

Sophomores Karine Becker, Jamie Essen, Bri Hubbard, LeAnne Lindhe and freshmen Kelsey Callahan and Tasha Tyler are all expected to compete in various events at the varsity level this year.

Since most of the individuals Ellias will be counting on this year have only minimal varsity experience, the Forest Lake coach said an emphasis will be put on getting better as the season goes along.

ìTheyíre not going to necessarily get better scores every meet, but I want to see a steady kind of rising (in the scores),î Ellias said.

At the same time, she said, itís going to be more important to knowingly improve routines than rely on improving the marks received from the judges.

ìScores you donít have much control over,î Ellias said. ìYou have to know how you did your routine. Weíll want to concentrate on doing things with the best execution possible.î

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