By Claire Patch ’23
The 2021-2022 Beverly High School Gymnastics Season was one for the books. As an ex-gymnast, I can recognize how talented the people on this team are. Also, I am slightly biased given that I grew up with a lot of the gymnasts. The BHS team practices and hosts meets at the Greater Beverly YMCA, home of the Phoenix United Competitive Team (previously Northshore Wildcats). Many of the gymnasts on the high school team also do gymnastics on a competitive team like Iron Rail or Phoenix United. Gymnastics is an extremely competitive sport, as well as being both physically and mentally tough. That is why it is so incredible that this year’s BHS team had a record of 6:2.
If you aren’t well-equipped with the routine of gymnastics meets, it can be confusing. There are 4 events; vault, bars, beam, and floor. High school gymnastics follows rules by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). For each event, 6 gymnasts can compete, and 2 gymnasts can compete in all-around (all 4 events). Most meets are between 2 teams, but meets such as sectionals or states will have more. Medals are awarded to people competing in a certain event or an all-around competition, or awarded to the team with the highest overall score. This is calculated by adding the top 4 scores of each event together.
I corresponded with gymnasts on the 2021-2022 BHS Gymnastics team. It was interesting to see the similarities and differences between the responses. I spoke with Madison Saunders (‘22), Linnea Avola (‘22), and Olivia Giello (‘23).
Claire: How are you feeling now that the season has ended, knowing that your team did so well?
Madison Saunders: “I’m so sad that this season is over, but I’ve never been so proud of this team. We made so many improvements over the season, and finishing 6-2 was a huge accomplishment for us!”
Linnea Avola: “Out of the 3 seasons I’ve been on the team, this has been my favorite. Not only did we perform well, but we had such a strong and loving team.”
Olivia Giello: “Obviously, I’m upset about the ending of such an amazing season, but I feel motivated to make next season even better.”
C: What event do you have the most fun in, and which is the hardest for you?
MS: “Beam has been the most solid for me this year, and it’s one of the events that I typically have more confidence on. I’ve always lacked this confidence on floor, so that’s definitely the event I struggle with the most.”
LA: “I have the most fun on floor, especially with the entire team lined up on the side cheering me on. They all try to do my dance with me which makes me smile throughout the entire routine.”
OG: “The event I have the most fun on is the floor, although I get most nervous before this event, once I start dancing and tumbling with the music blaring throughout the gym and my team cheering me on never fails to put a smile on my face. The event I have the most trouble with would definitely be beam.”
C: Does the team spirit impact how well you do individually and/or how your team does as a whole?
MS: “There was never a dull moment at any meet, and I can say that the noticeable positivity from the team was always so helpful whenever I was feeling nervous. This season, we had the highest energy levels that I’ve seen in a long time, and I think it really brought out the self-confidence in each gymnast to do their best.”
LA: “Yes, team spirit has a very big impact on how we all do. Cheering each other on with our loud voices and fun chants keeps the energy high, which keeps those competing in a happy mood.”
OG: “Definitely, in my own experience, whenever I hear my teammates dancing, clapping, and cheering me on while competing versus when the team’s energy is not that high impacts how I feel while competing and how confident I am with my performances.”
C: What advice would you give someone who wants to join the team for next year?
MS: “Be ready to work hard in a really fun environment! There’s a place for everyone on this team, whether you’re a high level gymnast or you’re just starting out.”
LA: “Use the next 4 years on the team to make as many amazing memories as you can so you have no regrets when the time comes to compete at your final high school meet.”
OG: “My advice would be not to be intimidated. The skill level and experience do not matter when it comes to this team, and our coach Julie will find a spot for everyone.”
C: If you are a junior, what are you looking forward to next season and if you are a senior, what, if anything, will you do gymnastics related in the future?
MS: “So far, I’m not planning on doing gymnastics anymore in the future, but I’ll probably keep up to date with it on TV and social media.”
LA: “ I have done club gymnastics since I was 4, and I started high school gymnastics sophomore year. My entire life has been gymnastics and nothing else. For this reason, I decided that my gymnastics career will end when I graduate high school.”
OG: “Next year, I am looking forward to being captain and just making the most out of my last season.”
After hearing from the current gymnasts, I am excited to see what the future holds for the BHS gymnastics team. Gymnastics is a winter sport, so you can tune in for information on how to join the team or when to come to the meets at the end of next fall, 2022.
