SYRACUSE - The future of Wawasee gymnastics and Wawasee Gymnastics Club is unclear as, last week, the gymnastic coaches and WGC board of directors were alerted that the Wawasee School Corporation administration pulled the trigger on a decision that could potentially end gymnastics in the school corporation.
In a Facebook post, which was shared nearly 100 times and over 75 comments as of Monday, Aug. 12, Wawasee Gymnastics Club wrote, “[Wawasee School Corporation] cites the low number of athletes at the high school level. The middle school teams have been a good size. However, the main reason is to utilize that part of the gym for the new sport of high school girls’ wrestling. Not only does that mean the end of Wawasee gymnastics teams, but it directly affects our gymnastic club.”
Wawasee Gymnastic Club clarified in its comment section of the post, “I want to make it clear to everyone that the wrestling coaches are fully supportive of keeping the gymnastics program alive. It was the school that told us that other sports needed the space more than we do.”
The school corporation doubled down on their claim that participation and interest has declined over the years in a statement submitted by Director of Marketing and Communications Emily Worrell.
“Over the last 10 years, we have seen a significant drop in participation at the high school level. Last year, we were not able to field a team due to lack of interest from participants and difficulty finding a high school coach,” the statement read, in part. “While we have seen strong numbers for gymnastics programming for decades at the elementary and even middle school levels that has not translated into large numbers of participants at the high school level. The dwindling participation, the challenge of finding coaches and the resources necessary to run the program for a very small number of athletes have all been contributing factors to our need to look at the long-term viability of the program.”
In a petition filed on change.org, Molly Liston, head coach since 2020 and seasoned gymnastic veteran, wrote, “The program’s future is threatened due to the unresponsive approach of the school administration. In operation since the 1970s, the program has been informed by the school that unless we find an alternative location for our equipment, gymnastics will no longer be a part of the sport offerings. Despite actively looking for a new space, the school has been dismissive, leaving the task solely on us ... Save Wawasee Gymnastics, protect and legacy and preserve future dreams.”
Gymnastics has been offered through the school for over half a century. Throughout those years, the Wawasee gymnasts had brought home 23 sectional titles. The last sectional win was two decades ago, in 2004. The gymnastics team had only one athlete in the 2023-24 season. The gymnast was moved onto West Noble’s team, rendering the Wawasee gymnastics dormant.
At its regular board meeting Monday, the Wawasee School Corporation Board of Trustees heard from the public, pleading for the safety of their beloved sport. Each speaker had three minutes to air their grievances and pleas to the board. Community members, future, current and former gymnasts showed up to voice their opinions on the matter.
“My fight here isn’t just for the high school gymnasts now but all the high school gymnasts to come,” Liston explained before the board. “I am here to fight for the five or six gymnasts I have had on the team the last few years but also the entire community.”
“I stand before you as one of the four million gymnasts in this country that was shaped by the discipline, strength and resilience this sport teaches,” Jennifer Runser, former Wawasee gymnast, explained. “My family didn’t have the means to pay for private instruction or the travel it required. On average, recreational gymnastics can cost up to $2,500 annually and competitive gymnastics can reach up to $10,000 annually. The Wawasee Gymnastics Club, operating out of our school’s facility, gave me and many others, the chance to pursue our dreams without being held back by financial barriers.”
“I had five different athletic directors during my time coaching and each of them completely supported the program and assured me they would never stop the sport until the IHSSA dropped the sport, which was really reassuring, but for some reason that has changed now,” Nika Prather, president and director of WGC, explained to the board. “If the middle and high school drop gymnastics, the club will cease to exist. I hope you continue to view gymnastics programs as a source of opportunities and pride rather than a burden or a liability.”
With held breath, gymnast enthusiasts awaited to hear the fate of their sport. Moved by the determination and passion of the community members during public comment, the board ultimately decided to table the decision. The decision will be re-visited during the next regular board meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 10.