Small School Has Big Ambitions

Pursue a dream long enough and it will eventually become reality.

Lakeside High School, a member of the 2A Great Northern League, has begun a gymnastics program which was ambitious in scope.

The Eagles wanted to compete in the 4A Greater Spokane League.

“We talked with the WIAA and GSL and they said it was no problem being accepted up until the team was guaranteed,” said coach Linda Gilroy. “They then decided it was not as clear-cut and did not allow us in.”

Lakeside, instead, will compete with GSL teams in area invitationals and then participate in district competition on the coast in an effort to qualify for state competition.

That Lakeside even has a gymnastics team is intriguing. It has been more than two decades since an area high school outside of the GSL has done so.

Gilroy owned a gymnastics club and taught most of the initial Eagles team when they were younger.

“Two years ago a parent group wanted them to compete in high school and it went from there,” said Gilroy.

The group got board approval. They pieced together $20,000 worth of equipment at a cost of $5,000.

“They will fund-raise that money back so there is no cost to the district,” said Gilroy, who was hired as coach.

There are 19 team members, including juniors Saundra Bayer, Becky Folsom, Renee Chicoine, sophomore Candice Staat, freshmen Tia Gilroy, Carolyn Johnson, Darcy Drury and Lisa Anderson who make up the varsity.

“We have an unbelievable team coming out of the chutes,” said Gilroy. “We have no real hot items doing major things, but they perform at a pretty high level and are pretty consistent.”

For the first time there are two state gymnastics meets this year. Lakeside will be in a different division than Greater Spokane League schools.

“I wish we could have gone with the GSL all the way,” said Gilroy. “Maybe we’ll get a chance next year.”

, DataTimes