Senior Tina Wilhelm pulled down the sleeves of her red leotard and took a deep breath before bounding into her complex floor routine. Wilhelm’s, and all of her teammates’, success has contributed to the MC gymnastics team’s undefeated season so far this spring.
Their latest meet against Poway resulted in a 217.925-201.675 victory.
“We all performed pretty well,” Wilhelm said. “It wasn’t our best meet. We definitely had mistakes and everything. All in all, every meet we just keep improving, keep getting closer, and it was a good meet. They’re very good…[but] they definitely weren’t our hardest competition.”
Senior Shelby Bruce won the Compulsory All-Around Award at the meet against Poway, and Wilhelm won Optional All-Around.
“It feels good,” Wilhelm said. “I just kinda compare myself to times I’ve done in the past. And as long as I’ve tried my hardest… It feels good to know that I gave it my all, and that it ended up to be good results.”
Senior Brianna Sims thinks there are a few reasons why the girls keep improving every meet, including becoming closer as a team. Their practices have become even more intense as the season progresses.
“During practice we have been working very hard to stay focused, because many times the team gets sidetracked and it shows during the meets,” Sims said.
The girls have also been working on fine-tuning their routines.
“Basically, we’ve been working on getting closer and cheering each other on, fixing the small things, being consistent on our events,” Wilhelm said. “Little things like on floor, showing off your routine more, making it more presentable. Just staying on beam, and always practicing like you’re at a meet, kind of. Just giving it your all, 100% at practice.”
Although gymnastics is an individual sport, the girls work best as a unit. During pasta dinners before meets and other social gatherings, Sims said, the team really gets a chance to bond.
“[The team gets along] very well,” Wilhelm said. “It’s very fun this year. We’re all just like one big family. We’re all friends. It’s really cool.”
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