The youth movement is afoot for the Auburn Riverside gymnastics team.
Last season the Ravens relied heavily on the performance of seniors Danielle Paris and Rebecca Turnbow as well as junior Kylee Smith, who helped drive the team to a fourth-place finish at the South Puget Sound League North 4A sub-district meet.
This past season, the Ravens got an early taste of life without their best gymnast after the sub-district showdown, with Turnbow missing the meet to concentrate on cheerleading.
This year the Ravens look to recover from the loss of Turnbow and Paris by relying on the performances of their underclass gymnasts, including freshmen Maddison Miller and Brianna Cooke.
“Maddie (Miller) has been out of gymnastics for a while, but I see her as being a strong gymnast for us,” Ravens coach Cathy Robinson said. “Maddie has been out awhile, but she’s getting her skills back. We’re looking forward to seeing her flip a few good vaults by sub-districts.”
In addition to a strong cast of newcomers, Robinson said the team will turn to experienced seniors Smith and Anna Marshall, juniors Makaila Petrina and Danielle Robinson, and as sophomores Casey Kaku and Kylie Urban.
“We’re figuring out what we have to work with,” Robinson said. “It’s unfortunate that we don’t get a lot of turnout from the clubs, so we have to make do with what we’ve got. But I think floor is our strongest event and then beam is the second strongest.”
Although the Ravens might face their challenges on the mat, Robinson said the team is a joy to be around.
“We’re a really fun team. We’re real compatible with each other,” Robinson said. “Granted, every team has its moments, but on the whole they really enjoy each other. And I think that’s ultimately what makes the girls come back and want to stay on the team. The girls who are more skilled are respectful of the girls who are less skilled. They cheer them on, they spot them, they help them with the next skill.”
It’s this unity that Robinson pointed out as key to the team’s success.
“At the end of the season our hopes are to make it into district,” Robinson said. “I imagine that we’ll have girls who will qualify for state, but right now it’s so competitive. Our team is building each week, and the other teams are as well. But our goal is to make it through districts and qualify the girls for state.”
