Menomonee Falls/Germantown gymnastics team maintains spirit and energy
MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — 鈥淓ven though athletes come and go, the spirit and energy of this team has stayed the same,鈥� says Menomonee Falls/Germantown Gymnastics Team Co-Head Coach Julia Knapp.
鈥淟ast year, the majority of the team graduated high school, and we only had three returning gymnasts coming into this season. Amazingly, 13 new girls joined the team this year! This year is somewhat of a reset with two new head coaches [Cassidy Pilo is the other co-head coach.] and 13 new gymnasts, but we have continued to keep the same positive spirit and grace that MFG gymnastics has always carried.
鈥淭hese girls have had to practice at off-site facilities and at odd times in recent history due to limited practice facility availability 鈥� sometimes as early at 5:30am or as late as 8:30pm. Despite the logistical adversity, the girls are always positive and look forward to coming together for practice.鈥�
One of the team’s goals for this season is to place in the top two at Sectionals, so they can go to State as a team. The team also aims to continue to better the skills of all the girls to score higher at each meet, along with ensuring every girl on the team has a sense of accomplishment and self-fulfillment by helping her meet her personal goals. The team also strives to create and sustain a positive, supportive and competitive team environment that each girl contributes to in a different way.
On Friday nights, before Saturday invites, the girls have a 鈥渃arbo cram.鈥� 鈥淭his is a fun way for the girls to get together before a big meet, bond, mentally prepare and eat a delicious homemade meal to fuel up for the big meet the next day,鈥� explains Coach Knapp. On the bus ride to the competition, the girls also enjoy singing together and doing each other’s hair.
They motivate each other with lots of cheering and support at competitions, and celebrate by grabbing dinner together after competitions.
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