Gymnastics is a sport that includes strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, dedication, and endurance. They use all these abilities on the four main events in competitive gymnastics: floor, bars, vault and beam. “Bars are my favorite event,” said junior Joanna Hall. Hall has recently been improving her bars routine and is hoping to add some new skills before the next meet. 

Also competing on bars, Eighth grader Maddie Austin has been experiencing success this season. “I’ve had a very good season,” said Austin, “I get to compete on varsity bars on Saturday and I am really excited.” Austin has been in gymnastics since she was younger which helps her to compete on varsity as an eighth grader. 

Hall and Austin are not the only ones off to a great start. Tenth grader Ashley Gaffeny has excelled on beam this year. “I just added new skills to up my difficulty,” said Gaffeny “Now my routine that was originally worth a 9 is worth around a 9.6” The best score to acquire in gymnastics is a perfect 10. 

The Maple Lake gymnastics team will be hosting their annual “Tumble In The Jungle” on Saturday, January 14. “Tumble In The Jungle is my favorite meet all year,” said sophomore Abby Torblaa. “It is always so much fun and we even get to wear special leos.” The meet venue has changed from the original middle school gym, to the high school gym.