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Just before practice Thursday night in the Career Center Gym at Warsaw Community High School, gymnastics coach Amanda Campbell was asked if she could describe her sister, sophomore Jillian Letsch, in one word.
The way Campbell smiled upon hearing the question made it appear as if she had conjured up the ultimate one-word tribute. She said she couldn't.
"She's very bubbly and very social," said Campbell. "She likes to be around people and it's hard now for her to practice alone."
Letsch was practicing alone last night because she is the only Warsaw gymnast who came away from last Saturday's Wawasee Regional with a berth in the state finals Saturday at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis. With a score of 8.6, she placed fourth in the beam competition.
Letsch was then asked if she could describe herself in one word. This coming after she laughed and said she didn't like interviews. But much like her coach/sister, she couldn't.
"I don't know if there's one word that'll describe me," said Letsch. "I work hard but try to have fun, too."
And Letsch is having fun. She's the only Warsaw gymnast in history to advance to the state finals.
"It just really excites me that I could make it this far so early in high school," said Letsch.
According to Campbell, in her fifth year as Warsaw's head coach, the Tigers didn't win a sectional until 1992, her senior year.
"The program struggled for the first couple years," said Campbell. "But it's been nice to win sectionals and see someone advance to state. It's the perfect end to a season. I just missed going to state two years. I'm glad she could break that tradition, especially since she's so young."
And Campbell is who Letsch credits with getting her involved in gymnastics.
"I saw her doing it and thought it was fun," said Letsch.
"She's been in gymnastics 10 or 11 years," said Campbell. "She practices all year round to stay competitive for the season and that's the difference between her and other gymnasts."
And until the next Tiger advances to state she will always be different.
Letsch will practice in Indianapolis tonight before competing in tommorrow's 1 p.m. contest.
