CV, U-Hi will compete for one berth
Someone stays home.
Both Central Valley and University are strong contenders for the 2006-07 Greater Spokane League gymnastics title and the regional title. But for the first time in years there will probably be just one berth in the State 4A gymnastics tournament.
“The balance of power has shifted,” Central Valley coach Kim Brunelle said. “We just don’t have the numbers in Class 4A anymore. It used to be that we were the big tournament and the Class 3A and under tournament was the small one. Now that’s going to be the big one.”
In the Eastern Region, where the Greater Spokane League competes with the Columbia Basin 4A League for state tournament entry, only Richland remains.
When the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association announces its district allocations this month, it is expected to give the Eastern Region just one state berth. The number of individual and all-around berths won’t be known until January.
That boils the season down to a simple fact: If you want to make it to the Tacoma Dome in February, win.
Central Valley Bears
For once, Brunelle isn’t starting at square one.
“No, not square one,” she laughed. “Maybe square two.”
In her 24th season as the Bears coach, Brunelle has a well-earned reputation for building teams from the ground up and battling for a berth in the postseason. She doesn’t just coach gymnasts, she teaches gymnastics. This year’s team is ready for advanced classes earlier than most.
The Bears have an experienced nucleus returning, led by senior all-around competitors Maria Alderman and Amanda Brantley.
Alderman, a four-year starter, is coming off a serious knee injury on the vault a year ago. Always a fearless competitor, she sat out most of last season after surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus.
“She’s coming along pretty well right now,” Brunelle said. “We’re taking some of the twisting moves out of her vault to take pressure off the knee. Once she gets the new vault down, it will be pretty impressive.
“She’s been a leader since she was a freshman. I missed her last year, although I have to say that she never stepped down from her leadership position even though she was injured.”
Also back are junior Courtney Sexton, all-GSL in floor exercise and third at regional in the event, and sophomores Hayley Wetterhus and Brittney Szoke, both of whom competed all-around a year ago.
“Brittney will compete all-around soon. She’s working on her beam routine, and I’ll put her in as soon as she’s ready,” Brunelle said. “I was telling the team that strength is huge in this sport, and that child has gained strength beyond belief.”
Senior Jennifer Dimmler, who competed as a freshman, returns and will compete all-around, and senior Bridgette Hynek-Beymer will eventually break into the varsity lineup.
University Titans
The defending league champions graduated four seniors off last year’s team. Replacing them is the first order of business, co-coach Tracy Duncan said.
“That was a big hit – we’ve never lost four seniors since we’ve been here,” she said. “It’s not just losing their skill, but we also lose their ability to anchor a team. We have more talent this year than we have ever had, but they don’t have the experience those seniors had.”
Senior Monica Marmolejo is the team’s captain and top all-around competitor.
“She has really stepped up,” Duncan said. “She has been working on a lot of new elements and has been picking them up so well and so fast. She’s impressive, and she’s just taking off like wildfire.
“The funny thing is, back when Monica competed as a club gymnast, she only did compulsory routines and was told she sucked. It took us last year to build back her self-esteem, and now that she has that she is willing to try new routines and picks them up incredibly fast. We’ve even gotten to the point where we have to hold her back a little.”
Senior Tabitha Ward will compete for the Titans for the first time this year. The former club gymnast transferred from Rogers last year, but injured a knee and had surgery over the Christmas break. Senior Kassidy Prete moves up from the junior varsity and will compete on floor and beam.
Also back are juniors Tatiana Garcia and Taylor Vold. Junior Alicia Knowles vaulted on the varsity last year and will add floor exercise to her repertoire this season.
Duncan is excited about sophomores Denel Lang and Renee Messling, both former club gymnasts.
“Renee is the most talented kid we’ve ever had since (co-coach) Karen (Renner) and I have been coaching,” she said. “She was a Level 9 club gymnast at Northwest Gymnastics, and she just has terrific form.”