Undefeated gymnastics team deserves recognition

“We’ve been undefeated for four years in our Metro League [Championships] so we’ve won every meet and we’ve had strong teammates who’ve made it to state finals and big competitions like that.” (Kelly Pecoraro)

The wind whistles past the gymnast’s ears as she races toward the vaulting table, her speed increasing with each stride. Reaching the springboard, she launches herself into the air, soaring with precision. In mid-flight, she performs a flawless sequence of flips and twists, maintaining a perfect form to impress the judges.

Finally, the crucial moment comes: the landing. With expert control, she bends her knees to absorb the impact, her feet touching down firmly, without a stumble or step. The judges award her with a 9.525 out of 10. But that doesn’t happen to everyone, according to captain senior Brooke Adkins.

“It’s a lot of nerves competing,” Brooke Adkins said. “And in order to do a good routine, it’s important to stay calm and not let the nerves get the best of you.” 

Captain and senior Caitlyn Adkins agrees that nerves have a role in how well gymnasts compete. 

“Competing can get really hard, just trying to be perfect and it could get very stressful,” Caitlyn Adkins said. “And, also, mental blocks. When you start doing harder skills, it’s kind of scary, but you really have to push yourself to go for bigger skills.” 

Gymnast and senior Claire Spinosa says that gymnastics isn’t just physically hard, it has a lot to do with mental health. 

“I feel like a lot of people think it’s just physical, like learning the skills,” Spinosa said. “But for me, it’s more about being mentally stable because you experience a lot of mental blocks. Your body knows that you can do the skill but your mind just tells you you can’t and that you’re scared.” 

Brooke Adkins mentions some tips for how to help with the nerves such as not putting so much pressure on yourself. Gymnasts are to perform an event and be scored on it based on how well they did. Then, the team score is based on the average of the gymnasts’ scores. 

“The big thing is to focus on the team aspect of it,” Brooke Adkins said. “Like if you mess up, your teammates will be there to back you up and they can do a good routine and help the team score.” 

Caitlyn Adkins also has a few tips for how to stay calm.

“Just remind yourself you know how to do the skill and force yourself to go for it,” Caitlyn Adkins said. “Try to not think too hard…” 

Overthinking doesn’t help, Spinosa added. 

“I hate overthinking and I like to distract myself by talking to people or just singing songs by myself, just whatever is on my mind,” Spinosa said. “Dancing helps before I compete.” 

Since many assume gymnastics is all about the physical aspect of the sport, it’s often overlooked. 

“I feel like a lot of people don’t pay attention to the gymnastics team but we are actually a really strong team,” Brooke Adkins said. “We’ve been undefeated for four years in our Metro League [Championships] so we’ve won every meet and we’ve had strong teammates who’ve made it to state finals and big competitions like that.” 

Caitlyn Adkins agrees that gymnastics is underrated.

“It’s a lot harder than people think,” Caitlyn Adkins said. “We have practice [for] three hours basically everyday. It’s hard to master all your routines and compete in front of a judge.” 

Like Brooke Adkins, Spinosa mentions how the team’s success often goes unnoticed at BHS.

“It’s an under-appreciated sport, especially at Ballard, because we are undefeated,” Spinosa said. “We have been for like four years.” 

Beyond the team’s success, Brooke Adkins says she appreciates how supportive the team is.

“[I enjoy] improving and getting new skills,” Brooke Adkins said. “And the environment, teammates and just everything.” 

Caitlyn Adkins also mentions how the team’s attitude towards competitions is uplifting. 

“I really like the team environment,” Caitlyn Adkins said. “Everyone on the team is super sweet and supportive of one another and we always have fun competing together.” 

Spinosa expresses how much she appreciates her teammates and how they’ve made her opinion on competitions more positive.  

“I love all my teammates, the friends I’ve made, and the support system we’ve created,” Spinosa said. “I definitely have a new viewpoint on meets now because before, when I was doing club, it was scary and intense but now it’s more about having fun and showing off what you’ve accomplished, rather than being perfect all the time.”