With a current rank of second in state and an all-around program high score of 145.95, the girls’ OH and OE co-op gymnastics team is soaring above expectations and smashing through previous barriers. The team has crushed their competition since the beginning of their season this winter, but both the team and their coaches have no intention of backing down.
After boasting numerous Athletes of the Week like OH senior Ava Sullivan and breaking school records in recent competitions, the girls’ team has brought well-deserved recognition and attention to the sport they are so passionate about.
“Prior to this group entering the program, the team had not finished above 23rd in the state since at least 2012,” said gymnastics coach Michael Borge. “[They] are currently seeded in the top two teams in the state…Those sustained improvements don’t happen because of one or two superstars: it takes everyone that is part of this program to do that.”
It has not been an easy journey, however, as these girls have had to fight through mental and physical setbacks to reach the success that they have achieved this year. They have worked tirelessly to overcome these hardships and emerge stronger than ever before.
“Last year I was out for almost the whole season due to a back injury. It really took a toll on my mental and physical strength,” said junior Hailey Nass. “This year I have been able to really focus on myself, and it has helped so much this season. “[I am] now being put in at competitions I never got to compete at previously.”
Injury is common in such a physically demanding sport, especially back and joint pain. Each athlete has to take special care of themselves and recover whenever possible to prevent lasting damage.
“My greatest challenge was returning to the team after dealing with an injury for several months,” said sophomore Alenna Holden.
Although the girls on this team have faced many individual challenges, they help each other face and overcome these setbacks like a family. The gymnasts cited the work ethic and comradery that the team has as one of their most driving and motivating factors toward success.
“I love the close bonds between all of the girls and the environment in the gym as a whole,” said Holden. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to go to State as a team, which we think is very possible with the army of girls we have on our varsity team this year.”
No matter if these girls have been on the varsity team for one year or four, they all spoke of the highly supportive and positive environment in their gym and how it motivates them to work harder and benefit the team as a whole.
“My favorite part about being on the team is definitely the friends I’ve made along the way. All the girls are so encouraging and kind-hearted,” said Nass. “Whenever I get upset for underperforming, everyone comes up to tell me I still did an amazing job and to cheer me up. Being on a team with such amazing girls is truly a blessing.”
The team still has a long season ahead of them, but with their current momentum, they are sure to fly far above their goals.
“There has not been a meet this season where I have been disappointed with the performances that I have seen from our athletes,” said Borge. “Oswego has not appeared as a team in the state meet since 2002, and I know this team has the capacity to change that.”
My name is Sasha Pankuch and I am a junior here at OHS. This is my first year with 42Fifty too. I am very involved here at OHS; I am on the board of Student Council, I play the saxophone in the Panther Marching Band, and am a member of multiple honors societies!
