Wawasee's Prather Sees Another Successful Gymnastics Season
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - When talking with Wawasee gymnastics coach Nika Prather, it doesn't take her long to point out the fact that she doesn't like to lose.
And her record backs it up.
In the 12 years Prather has been with the Warriors - she's now in her sixth year as head coach -ÊWawasee owns a 137-22 record.
In the previous five years that Prather has headed the program, the Warriors have won three sectional championships and have sent one individual, Prather's daughter Tierny, to the state finals.
And when Prather is talking of the sectional, this is when she says she doesn't like to lose.
Three times during the regular season a year ago the Warriors topped county rival Warsaw. But for two consecutive years, the Tigers have won the sectional championship.
What does Prather see in her team this year? What can fans expect when they see the Warriors this year?
"A lot of high hopes, a lot of energy and a lot of potential," said Prather. "They're a great squad and a great team. One thing I've noticed is that they have great camaraderie. All three seniors are really close, and they are really determined to win sectionals this year. The last two years we've lost to Warsaw. We beat Warsaw three times last year in the regular season, so we thought we could beat them."
The Warriors have 11 gymnasts on this year's roster. Three of them - Angie Beer, Katie Brown, and Lisa Ummel - are seniors.
Warsaw has two seniors on its roster of 11 - Amie Ridley and Nichole Runyan - neither of whom have varsity experience.
From last year's 10-3 sectional championship team, the Tigers graduated three key performers in Callie Edgington, Mandy Rice and Shiloh Hoy.
The key peformer for the 2000 Tigers will be Jillian Letsch. Kim Love is the only other Tiger to have varsity experience. Love, a junior, was on the team as a freshman but didn't participate in gymnastics. Already this year she has suffered from an injury.
Warsaw coach Amanda Campbell was asked if inexperience would be evident for Warsaw this year.
"These girls have experience but they're inexperienced at high school gymnastics," said Campbell, in her sixth year with the Tigers. "They're learning a lot of new things, and it will take a while for them to get polished."
What goals does Campbell have for her team this year?
"I want the girls to continue to improve," said Campbell. "Hopefully we'll get Kim back in the next few weeks. I think the 92 we scored before Christmas is a good score for us. Hopefully by the end of the season we'll be improved enough to be in the regional for the third year in a row."
Will it come down to Warsaw and Wawasee for the sectional championship?
"I think Wawasee and Plymouth will be tough," said Campbell. "Neither of them lost anyone to graduation. We lost some to graduation. We're kind of starting over."
Manchester will take to the meet this year with four gymnasts: a senior and three sophomores. Squire coach Don Osborne, in his sixth year at Manchester, said he can remember as many as 14 on Manchester's roster. Last year nine Squires participated in gymnastics.
Why the low turnout?
"We had a policy change whereas gymnasts can't be cheerleaders," said Osborne. "It started four years ago. The only ones that can be gymnasts and cheerleaders are seniors. The school made cheerleading a sport, and it's taken away from the gymnastics program."
Manchester's roster this year comprises senior Megan Goshert, a cheerleader, and sophomores Maria Weller, Tina French and Jennifer Hileman.
Both Wawasee and Warsaw will be in action tonight. The Warriors will host Elkhart Memorial at 6 p.m., while the Tigers host Fort Wayne Northrop at 6:30 p.m. Manchester will begin its season Jan. 12 at Huntington North.
GYMNASTICS CAPSULES
WAWASEE WARRIORS
Coach/Years: Nika Prather/6th
1999 record: 10-3
Key losses: none lost to graduation
Key returners: Angie Beer, Katie Brown, Lisa Ummel
2000 roster: 11
Last year: finished second in sectional, finished season in the regional
WARSAW TIGERS
Coach/Years: Amanda Campbell/6th
1999 record: 10-3
Key losses: Callie Edgington, Mandy Rice, Shiloh Hoy
Key returners: Jillian Letsch, Kim Love
2000 roster: 11
Last year: won sectional championship, finished season in the regional
MANCHESTER SQUIRES
Coach/Years: Don Osborne/6th
1999 record: 1-9
Key losses: 1-8
Key returners: Megan Goshert, Maria Weller, Tina French, Jennifer Hileman
2000 roster: 4
Last year: finished sixth in Wawasee Sectional [[In-content Ad]]
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SYRACUSE - When talking with Wawasee gymnastics coach Nika Prather, it doesn't take her long to point out the fact that she doesn't like to lose.
And her record backs it up.
In the 12 years Prather has been with the Warriors - she's now in her sixth year as head coach -ÊWawasee owns a 137-22 record.
In the previous five years that Prather has headed the program, the Warriors have won three sectional championships and have sent one individual, Prather's daughter Tierny, to the state finals.
And when Prather is talking of the sectional, this is when she says she doesn't like to lose.
Three times during the regular season a year ago the Warriors topped county rival Warsaw. But for two consecutive years, the Tigers have won the sectional championship.
What does Prather see in her team this year? What can fans expect when they see the Warriors this year?
"A lot of high hopes, a lot of energy and a lot of potential," said Prather. "They're a great squad and a great team. One thing I've noticed is that they have great camaraderie. All three seniors are really close, and they are really determined to win sectionals this year. The last two years we've lost to Warsaw. We beat Warsaw three times last year in the regular season, so we thought we could beat them."
The Warriors have 11 gymnasts on this year's roster. Three of them - Angie Beer, Katie Brown, and Lisa Ummel - are seniors.
Warsaw has two seniors on its roster of 11 - Amie Ridley and Nichole Runyan - neither of whom have varsity experience.
From last year's 10-3 sectional championship team, the Tigers graduated three key performers in Callie Edgington, Mandy Rice and Shiloh Hoy.
The key peformer for the 2000 Tigers will be Jillian Letsch. Kim Love is the only other Tiger to have varsity experience. Love, a junior, was on the team as a freshman but didn't participate in gymnastics. Already this year she has suffered from an injury.
Warsaw coach Amanda Campbell was asked if inexperience would be evident for Warsaw this year.
"These girls have experience but they're inexperienced at high school gymnastics," said Campbell, in her sixth year with the Tigers. "They're learning a lot of new things, and it will take a while for them to get polished."
What goals does Campbell have for her team this year?
"I want the girls to continue to improve," said Campbell. "Hopefully we'll get Kim back in the next few weeks. I think the 92 we scored before Christmas is a good score for us. Hopefully by the end of the season we'll be improved enough to be in the regional for the third year in a row."
Will it come down to Warsaw and Wawasee for the sectional championship?
"I think Wawasee and Plymouth will be tough," said Campbell. "Neither of them lost anyone to graduation. We lost some to graduation. We're kind of starting over."
Manchester will take to the meet this year with four gymnasts: a senior and three sophomores. Squire coach Don Osborne, in his sixth year at Manchester, said he can remember as many as 14 on Manchester's roster. Last year nine Squires participated in gymnastics.
Why the low turnout?
"We had a policy change whereas gymnasts can't be cheerleaders," said Osborne. "It started four years ago. The only ones that can be gymnasts and cheerleaders are seniors. The school made cheerleading a sport, and it's taken away from the gymnastics program."
Manchester's roster this year comprises senior Megan Goshert, a cheerleader, and sophomores Maria Weller, Tina French and Jennifer Hileman.
Both Wawasee and Warsaw will be in action tonight. The Warriors will host Elkhart Memorial at 6 p.m., while the Tigers host Fort Wayne Northrop at 6:30 p.m. Manchester will begin its season Jan. 12 at Huntington North.
GYMNASTICS CAPSULES
WAWASEE WARRIORS
Coach/Years: Nika Prather/6th
1999 record: 10-3
Key losses: none lost to graduation
Key returners: Angie Beer, Katie Brown, Lisa Ummel
2000 roster: 11
Last year: finished second in sectional, finished season in the regional
WARSAW TIGERS
Coach/Years: Amanda Campbell/6th
1999 record: 10-3
Key losses: Callie Edgington, Mandy Rice, Shiloh Hoy
Key returners: Jillian Letsch, Kim Love
2000 roster: 11
Last year: won sectional championship, finished season in the regional
MANCHESTER SQUIRES
Coach/Years: Don Osborne/6th
1999 record: 1-9
Key losses: 1-8
Key returners: Megan Goshert, Maria Weller, Tina French, Jennifer Hileman
2000 roster: 4
Last year: finished sixth in Wawasee Sectional [[In-content Ad]]