The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 44, Milford, Kosciusko County, 16 November 1983 — Page 28

A good year for gymnastics

By TOM CHARLES Sports Writer Although the season doesn’t begin until Jan. 17, gymnastics coach Kim Conrad already has a twinkle in her eye when she thinks of the year to come. The fourth-year coach has an impressive list of sophomores returning from the sectional championship team of last fall. Returning to action are sophomore sectional ch .npions Suellen Free, balance beam and floor exercise at the optional level; Gretchen Huffman, floor exercise at the intermediate level; and Raeni Rinker, uneven parallel bars at the intermediate level. Other returning gymnasts who placed in the optional division at sectionals were Heidi Beer, second on the balance beam, and Angie Graff, third on the balance beam. Michelle Leffler placed fourth on the balance beam in the intermediate class. The list of returning optional gymnasts is rounded out by sophomore Jeanine Gunn. Both Gunn and Beer are recovering from injuries. Conrad hopes that they will both be in competitive form by the time the season opens. The optional team will be strengthened by the recent arrival of Kathy Campbell. The freshman transfer from Warsaw “should be a strong optional allaround performer,” according to Conrad. Sophomores Stephanie Crow, Jacqui Smith and Angie Smith, and senior Marcia Taylor are back for another season of intermediate performances. They are part of an intermediate squad which Conrad calls “the best I’ve seen since I have been at Wawasee.” She credits that in a large part to the good preparation at the junior high level. “The junior high programs have played a large part in our success,” she said. “The girls get good preparation for the intermediate routines. This year I will be gaining a lot of strong intermediate gymnasts from the junior high programs. They will compete in the all-around.” Conrad pointed out that the incoming freshmen will be more familiar on the parallel bars this year. Last year was the first time the event was taught on the junior high level. As a result, this freshman class will be ahead of its predecessors. The team should be strongest on the beam and in the floor exercises, according to Conrad. Jeanine Gunn has recovered nicely from her injury of a year ago and this should help to solidify the team’s performance in those events. “I’m anxious for Jeanine to be able to compete,” said Conrad. Due to the critical importance of timing in performing tricks, the sport requires many hours of practice. Conrad is fortunate to have a group of athletes who work out during the off season. It is one factor which has contributed to Wawasee’s success. “The girls try to work out during the summer and that helps a lot. It keeps them in condition,” said Conrad. “During the season we work on conditioning each night after practice. We also try to work weights twice a week.” “This sport takes a lot of practice time,” she said. “It takes a couple months to feel comfortable with new tricks.” Gymnastics followers should keep their eyes on Angie Graff, Kathy Campbell and Suellen

Free when it comes to tricks. Graff and Campbell are presently perfecting a handstand on the high bar. Campbell and Free are both working on a back handspring for the beam. Both these tricks should be an exciting addition to meets this winter. Conrad is looking forward to another successful season and an

Hu * “VW * JEr * ||A * * f f s HBK Bl WAWASEE GYMNASTICS LETTERWINNERS — This group of Stephanie Crow and Suellen Free, returning performers will be counted on to provide the leadership in in the back row are Raeni Rinker. Jeanine Gunn, Heidi Beer, gymnastics this winter. Angie Graff, Angie Smith and coach Kim Conrad. Marcia Taylor was Pictured in front are Jacqui Schultz, Gretchen Huffman, not present for the photo. (Photo by Tom Charles) TEGHTMEYER IJobber Henschenl / North Webster samSm AVE/ 8342021 An Ima S. HARDWAHt Syracuse Products FBI I |RIK 457-3474 Syracuse 457-M72 MWord MiHord s Newest LWE IpPORmpUSE 1 ! Fwnhwe, Appliances A Carpet , • Rt d • Neels • 3ete4 Ser I fit "Fuse Dining At An Attordobl. Family Price'' I 1 i jit | ese eeeo ~| » Miitwd 1 ”nTI 116 S. Huntington 457-3443 SYRACUSE ■‘l x . I;l

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improved schedule. In the past years it has been difficult to find strong competition in the area on the optional level. “Overall, compared to Fort Wayne or Valparaiso our regional is weaker,” she noted. “Many of the schools don’t have optional teams.” This year’s slate has been

strengthened by the addition of East Noble; a school with a’ strong tradition at the optional level. Conrad noted that Elkhart Central is developing a good program and should provide some good competition this year. “If all goes as planned, we should have a good chance at winning the sectional,” she commented. “Elkhart Central will be

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our main competition in that meet.” Conrad has a new assistant coach helping her this winter. Nat Clark, a former coach at Elkhart Memorial, will be a boost to the program, according to Conrad. “I’m really excited about it,” she said. “His knowledge is really on an advanced level.”