The Rams gymnastics team is a tough, tight-knit group who has enjoyed plenty of success this year. ~ Contributed Photo
LIKE A ROCK
Rams Gymnastics Team Stays Steady
JEANNIE GREGORY
ROAR Editor
The highly successful Rams gymnastics
team has picked up where they left
off last year. Their 2018-19 campaign saw
them complete an undefeated season in
the OK Rainbow Conference, claim the
Regional Crown, and follow those accomplishments
with runner-up status
in the MHSAA State Finals.
This year’s campaign is looking just
as impressive, with the Rams attaining
high scores and adding new skills to
their routines.
Michelle Ankney is in her fourth year
as the head coach and continues to inspire
her team of 17 athletes to reach
their goals. Twelve of them are building
on what they learned last year as returners.
Ankney is being ably assisted this
season by Macey Hilliker and Lindsay
Helsley and seniors Morgan Case and
Nicole Curtis are doing a great job of
co-captaining the team to add to their
success.
Gymnastics is not for the faint of
heart. There are plenty of opportunities
to sustain injuries; some can be extremely
serious, occasionally coming from the
constant pounding that gymnasts put
their body through as they practice and
perform their routines. Sit in the stands
with a group of gymnasts between
performances and you’ll see indications
everywhere on their bodies. Huge
bruises, bumps, scrapes, and blisters
in various stages are ever-present. The
group of gymnasts seem to take it all in
stride, viewing it as ‘just part of’ their
sport. It’s obvious they are having a lot
of fun this season, battling the pressure
with laughter. They control the sport, it
doesn’t control them.
They’ve continued their march to yet
another undefeated season. So far, the
team has won all of their dual meets,
putting up their highest score of the
season against Forest Hills, where they
earned a 145.075.
18 ROAR MAGAZINE FEBRUARY, 2020
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