Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
In a phone conversation Wednesday night Warsaw gymnastics coach Amanda Campbell spoke of the best season in Warsaw history.
"Last year was the best year in the program's history," said Campbell. "We went 12-2 and won the sectional, but we lost our top two performers. We don't have a lot of depth this year. We're just going to do the best we can and hope to be competitive."
But being competitive in the sport of gymnastics takes years of preparation. Only three local high schools offer the sport. Therefore, it's up to the kids to get started at a young age.
"You have to start at a young age," said Campbell. "A lot of times in high school the body is grown, so it's tough to just come into high school and start. Usually you can go out of town or to the YMCA to get started."
The Tigers are 2-1 so far this season and return sophomore Jillian Letsch. Letsch won the sectional championship in the beam, floor and all-around competitions. Warsaw also returns Mandy Rice and Callie Edgington, two key varsity performers from a year ago. The two other top gymnasts from last year are lost to graduation, Kim Love and Kari Lipply.
Due to the fact that only a few schools in the area offer gymnastics, there is no conference championship. Plymouth and Wawasee are the only other NLC schools with gymnastics programs.
Wawasee, coming off of a 9-3 campaign last year, is also enjoying success this year as well. The Warriors are currently 3-0. From that 9-3 squad, Wawasee returns juniors Katie Brown, Lisa Ummel and Angie Beer.
"We have a small team this year," said Wawasee coach Nika Prather. "We lost two very strong varsity gymnasts in Darcy Replogle and Christa Olson. We have two freshmen with very little gymnastics experience, but we don't have any seniors, so we won't have to go through that next year."
For anyone who is interested in getting involved in gymnastics, Campbell says there are programs out there for young kids.
"We hold clinics for the younger girls in grades first through eighth," said Campbell. "We want to let them know there is a program and the younger they get started, the better."
