Wawasee’s Haleigh Smarr

On the west wall of the Wawasee annex gym hangs a sign listing the gymnastic’s program’s 23 sectional titles, tied with Valparaiso for the most in state history. The last year painted on the sign is from the team’s title in 2004, there remains two open spots below that which would help finish out the sign.

Two spots that have been empty for far too long.

“We have the potential,” stated head coach Nika Prather, glancing back at the sign. “We have to keep everybody healthy and focused. We have two more blanks there. I really, really want to fill those last two spots either before I retire or before the IHSAA drops gymnastics, which could be any year.”

The outlook for the sport on a statewide level is far from encouraging, but in the northern half of the state the event thrives, especially in the area known as “The Region” with teams like Chesterton and Valparaiso. Further interest comes from teams in Wawasee’s sectional like Elkhart Central, Carroll and East Noble, all of which will challenge the Warriors for a title in February’s sectional held in Syracuse.

The Warriors lost key gymnasts Taylor Busse, Deea Coy and Molly Smith to graduation and are already shorted the ability of Leigh-Ann Shrack who injured her wrist during soccer. But Prather has a positive outlook for a young team with just one senior.

“We have some talented kids coming back,” Prather said. “We have some kids that also have very little experience and then we have some coming on with quite a bit of club experience. I think that club experience is always helpful. Anytime you can do a sport all year, you’re bound to be a little more accomplished. We have a mix of levels of experience this year. It’s hard for me to predict how someone will do. I see potential in all of them, but it depends on their work ethic and their attendance. We’re really excited to see who will fill our all-around position, it’s not easy.”

Prather has all of her girls train as if they will be competing in the all-around in order for them to get the prepared but understands it’s not a role everyone is cut out for.

Wawasee will be highlighted by a slew of returning names, including Ashleigh Frecker who is the team’s lone senior. Frecker has found a comfort level with everything but the uneven bars to this point and will provide a much needed aspect to the young team.

A lot of attention will be given to the sophomore class which returns Katelyn Baker, Kalynn Workman, Meghan Beer and Reagan Atwood. Atwood impressed many last season as she would win the sectional in the floor exercise as a freshman. Jade Skelton, Haleigh Smarr and Autumn Yoder make up the junior class. Skelton missed most of her sophomore campaign but made an impact as a freshman.

Marley Erlenwein, Jada Parzygnot, Ciandra Ervin, Alyssa Minnix and Tamara Bruder highlight a promising freshman class.

Wawasee competed at the LaPorte Pairs last Saturday and will travel to the Elkhart Central Invitational on Jan. 2.

Warsaw Tiger Gymnastics

Key Losses: Katie Richard, Jazzmine Brown, Kristen Holladay, Shannon Winslow (injured)

Key Returner: Nadiya Burritt

Key Newcomers: Remi Beckham, Anna Wainscott, Danica Masterson; Hayley Campbell, Cynthia Love

Head coach Megan Kammerer, Assistant coach Tonya Douglass