The OHS Gymnastics team had a huge turnout at their first showcase in their new gym. Many parents, students and others joined the gymnasts at the showcase on Dec. 2, 2024. At the showcase, the gymnasts performed floor, uneven bars, vault and beam routines. The team worked super hard to perform at the highest level. Junior Chloe Myer said, “The showcase was so fun to experience and I am so happy we got to show off our gym and how hard we have been putting in.”
At the showcase, for some of the gymnasts, it was thrilling to finally perform their events in front of a crowd. The presence of the audience helped ease the nerves for the first OHS gymnastics team meet.
Since Owatonna got a new high school in 2023, the OHS gymnastics team recently transitioned from practicing at the Owatonna Gymnastics Club (OGC) and moved into the old OHS gymnasium. Moving gyms was a lot better for the gymnastics team than they thought it would be. By moving, the team now has the whole gym to themselves without having to stress about younger girls running around. Senior Halle Theis said, “I love having our own space and equipment in our new gym. [Its been great]having the equipment to get the new skills we need to improve.”
The team is preparing for their first home meet by working as hard as they can during their practice times. They have practices five days a week which last three hours long. With this, it helps the team feel prepared for the upcoming meet. For this meet on Dec 12, they have hopes of achieving high scores at this meet to prove to themselves that the hard work and dedication paid off. Junior Kendra Miller said, “I am just working as hard as I can in the first two weeks to gain all my strength and endurance back along with my skills and the confidence to compete.”
To help prepare the girls for their upcoming meets, specialized forms of stretching are used. The team has a yoga instructor who comes to help them stretch out their bodies. This helps prepare gymnast to compete at their healthiest state of mind and body.
The Owatonna High School Gymnastics Team has their first home meet on Thursday, Dec. 12 in the old OHS gymnasium.
