Gymnastics He Said She Said

He Said, She Said

He Said, She Said is a continuing diary from the Coaches Cook. Find out what’s going on with the team on an ongoing basis.Jump to 2005 He Said, She Said

She SaidEight Weeks. Just yesterday most of us realized this is the eighth week of school. Boy does time fly. While we have only been in official gymnastics workouts for a few weeks, we have been working hard since the first day of class! It is really starting to show! While I am sitting here thinking about what would be important to share with all of you, I realized that the transformation the GymBacks have made may be hard to express in the written word. First, there is the simple fact we have 6 freshman and 4 new staff members including our student trainer! While this could be viewed as a worry or a negative, this could not be further from the truth. The energy is amazing. Everyone is excited, smiling, focused, and whole heartedly integrating themselves into an already outstanding group of individuals. Friday has always been Spirit Day. Sometimes it’s silly, sometimes it’s school spirited, it is whatever the team makes of it. This current group has really been exceptional. We’ve had Goth Day, Barbie Day, Sorority Day and Thug Day….just to name a few themes. I’ve attached a few pictures to this entry. Something so simple really makes a huge statement. Everyone is fully participating, excited, and just plain having fun with it. Again, there is an amazing positive energy. As for the gymnastics, I don’t think we’ve ever been better. Every time I think we’ve had the best vault work out in the history of the program, the next week is better. I cannot even describe how it feels to know 5 years ago we could barely make handspring front vaults in October to now seeing 10.0 vaults that are outstanding. The difference there is not just one, two, or three 10.0 vaults, they seem to be everywhere! Now, I’m not going to count my chickens…but we really should be much improved on vault this year. As for bars, I won’t say too much since that’s Mark’s baby, but I’m not sure we’ve ever had this depth with such great difficulty; several releases, E dismounts…it sure is exciting! Now just for those handstands! Beam is really coming along. We have actually done full routines. That in itself is exciting. There is such diversity of skill selection this year. I really feel if we can be consistent the GymBacks will really be impressive. All the floor routines are done!!! Considering 11 of the girls got new music and new floor routines that is quite an accomplishment. The music is all really different and I had a lot of fun working with each girl to create something special. Sam Cortez helped me with the choreography. She did a great job as well. All the floor routines are fun and expressive. There will definitely be some fan favorites! I won’t give it all away, but Rachel’s is outstanding! If you are in town, stop by and check out workout, it’s something to see! As Alex would say…”Go HAWGS!”