Olivia Ousley in the 2022-23 season, the last time Wawasee had a full team for gymnastics. The Mail-Journal file photo.

By Nathan Pace
InkFreeNews

The Wawasee gymnastics program is technically alive but players and coaches feel they are in a difficult position. The September board meeting allowed the program to continue but the team has to find a venue outside of school property to host practices. The space in the auxiliary gym where the equipment was set up can no longer be set up there.

Coach Molly Liston is in the process to be officially rehired as the gymnastics coach has been looking into new venues where the team can practice but high costs are limiting their options.

“That’s kind of the thing we’ve been running into. Too expressive to lease,” Liston said.

At the moment, the plan is to play the upcoming season by practicing at Warsaw High School. The logistics of how the Wawasee gymnastics programs from both the high school and middle school will share the gym with Warsaw’s programs is still be being worked out.

Liston says interest in there for the program but parents and players are not thrilled about driving to Warsaw five nights a week during the winter for practice.

“I have received pushback from them even some parents,” Liston said. “The school is telling us we need to grow numbers but we have to travel to another gym which creates disinterest and make others not want to joint the team.”

Emily Worrell is the director of communications and marketing for the Wawasee Community School Corporation and says the school is committed to the gymnastics team and finding solutions for it.

“In terms of additional support, we are exploring potential partnerships, like the one with Warsaw, to find the right space for our team to train. These upcoming discussions will help us work through the logistics and determine the best path forward,” Worrell said.

Wawasee senior Morgan Reel was hopeful to play the sport one more time at Wawasee. Injuries kept her out of gymnastics her freshman and junior years. To her, the search for a venue for the Wawasee team has been frustrating.

“What are we suppose to do. Where are we suppose to go,” Reel said.

One of the main reasons cited from the school board on the new location for the gymnastics club and its equipment is liability. Concerns stem from an incident where children attending Wawasee basketball games run unsupervised and climbed up on the gymnastics equipment. This led to one injury. Reel feels the school could have made some slight changes to eliminate the liability concern but chose not to.

“I don’t understand why we can’t set up in the high school. I understand that kids can get into it but we have ways we can block it off,” Reel said. “It doesn’t have to be a liability if there are signs that say keep off the gymnastics equipment.”

The future of the gymnastics club run by Nika Prather is another factor in the search for a practice facility. Reel is also sad to see the team that the late Kim Conrad passionately supported before her death in a car accident in 2016 struggling to find a home.

“It is really disappointing to see what Nika has built up for years and years possibly going away. What Kim had supported all when she was alive is possibly going away,” Reel said.

The first official practice of the gymnastics season is set for November. Liston says getting the practices going and not being delayed will be critical for the season.

“You can’t just start the first day of the official practice and be ready for the first meet. Especially if we are sharing gym space with another school,” Liston said.

Liston does feel the relationship between the gymnastics program and the school can be repaired and hopes the new season will work towards that.

“I mean I think it’s just time heals all,” Liston said. “Continue communication and open and honest communication.”

Worrell acknowledges the community support for the program and wants to see the program continue to grow through the recent adversity.

“Ultimately, we are inspired by the incredible support from both the gymnastics community and the broader Wawasee community,” Worrell said. “Our goal is to see this program thrive, with increasing participation and skill development, ensuring that gymnastics remains a vital and growing part of our athletic offerings. We’re confident that, together, we can make this happen for our students and community.”