Balance of Olathe’s gymnastics power shifts

Source: The Star

CHUCK FRANCE | Special to the News

Elayna Briggs, here performing at last spring’s state championships at Olathe East, is in a class by herself at Olathe Northwest — both literally and figuratively.

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To a large extent, it has been Olathe East and everybody else the last few years on the city gymnastics scene.

With good reason, too: The Hawks, led by 2009 graduates Annie Pauls and Beth Copeland, won the last two Kansas state gymnastics team championships with Pauls claiming the individual all-around crown.

But East enters a rebuilding season under a new head coach, Julie Bayha. A former assistant, Bayha succeeds Lydia Messenger, who guided the Hawks to four state titles in 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2008. Messenger retired to spend more time with her family.

The Hawks’ only returning gymnast with varsity experience is Ashlynn Mims, who was 22nd at state last season as a freshman. She gained the role when senior Elly Steck decided to discontinue high school gymnastics, leaving left Mims with some pressure on her slender shoulders.

“We just talked about this today actually,” Bayha said. “She’s still young; she’s only a sophomore, but she will have to show some leadership.”

She also might get some leadership help from senior Jessica Davis, a hard-worker who is encouraging the girls.

“Annie and Beth were just outstanding and had been on the team for about four years,” Bayha said. “They were wonderful, natural gymnasts that we can’t just replace. We have a lot of work to do, a lot of girls new to sport even, so we definitely have work cut out for us. But I think we’re still going to be a very competitive team.”

The new powerhouseBeing competitive might mean finding a way to topple Olathe North this season.

The Eagles were seventh at state, an important step, according to coach Jay Roberts.

“From a psychological standpoint, it’s a big deal,” he said. “It’s a different atmosphere at state. There’s a lot of pressure, so that’s a plus that they have been there before. It’s definitely going to help.”

Juniors Tori Declements and Morgan Twidwell return along with sophomore sensation Lizzie Sanford, who reminds Roberts of former North great Brianna Willard.

Sanford sat on the sidelines most of her freshman year because of a knee injury, but she returned in time for state and finished third in the vault.

“She’s got the potential to win state,” Roberts said. “I see that same work ethic, that same drive and that same determination, and that’s really what it’s all about, how much you want it, and how much you’re willing to sacrifice to get it.”

Freshman Tiffany Malnicoff and sophomore Christine Nuber provide depth for the Eagles.

“I think we’re in the mix as one of the teams to beat,” Roberts said. “We’re going to be right up with the best teams in the state. I think we have a chance to win state, but I don’t really know yet. It’s really early, so it’s hard for me to say that, but I think we know we’ve got some gymnasts who can really help us out.”

Falcons lose RamseySouth, also coached by Roberts, lost Alyson Ramsey to graduation, a huge blow.

“Can you replace an Alyson Ramsey? When she wasn’t sick, she was just a fantastic gymnast,” Roberts said.”

Senior Bethany Eason returns as the top Falcon gymnast. Sophomores Megan Williams and Megan Mackiewicz round out the varsity roster.

Alone at NorthwestIt’s no stretch to say that senior Elayna Briggs is the Olathe Northwest gymnastics team.

Having finished fourth at state last season, including a runner-up finish on the vault, Briggs clearly enters the season as one of the state’s top competitors.

All of her former Ravens’ teammates quit the sport and no freshman came out, leaving Briggs literally as the only Northwest gymnast.

“I’m really sad that those girls didn’t come out this year,” said Bayha, who coaches both Northwest and East.

Still, she expects great things from Briggs, who ought to contend for the all-around crown.

“I absolutely believe that, yes,” Bayha said. “We’ve set some pretty high goals for her, about how we’d like her to be performing by November, and she’s real motivated to do that.”

- 2009-08-25 18:15:02