February 2020 ROAR

• Short-link
• Link
• Embed

The Rams gymnastics team is a tough, tight-knit group who has enjoyed plenty of success this year. ~ Contributed PhotoLIKE A ROCKRams Gymnastics Team Stays SteadyJEANNIE GREGORYROAR EditorThe highly successful Rams gymnasticsteam has picked up where they leftoff last year. Their 2018-19 campaign sawthem complete an undefeated season inthe OK Rainbow Conference, claim theRegional Crown, and follow those accomplishmentswith runner-up statusin the MHSAA State Finals.This year’s campaign is looking justas impressive, with the Rams attaininghigh scores and adding new skills totheir routines.Michelle Ankney is in her fourth yearas the head coach and continues to inspireher team of 17 athletes to reachtheir goals. Twelve of them are buildingon what they learned last year as returners.Ankney is being ably assisted thisseason by Macey Hilliker and LindsayHelsley and seniors Morgan Case andNicole Curtis are doing a great job ofco-captaining the team to add to theirsuccess.Gymnastics is not for the faint ofheart. There are plenty of opportunitiesto sustain injuries; some can be extremelyserious, occasionally coming from theconstant pounding that gymnasts puttheir body through as they practice andperform their routines. Sit in the standswith a group of gymnasts betweenperformances and you’ll see indicationseverywhere on their bodies. Hugebruises, bumps, scrapes, and blistersin various stages are ever-present. Thegroup of gymnasts seem to take it all instride, viewing it as ‘just part of’ theirsport. It’s obvious they are having a lotof fun this season, battling the pressurewith laughter. They control the sport, itdoesn’t control them.They’ve continued their march to yetanother undefeated season. So far, theteam has won all of their dual meets,putting up their highest score of theseason against Forest Hills, where theyearned a 145.075.18 ROAR MAGAZINE FEBRUARY, 2020

The Rams hosted their annual FlipFlop Invitational in early January, and letthe competition know they were onceagain going to be a force. The team wasled by five all-arounders – Averi Nixon,Morgan Case, Ashley Faulkner, Joey Gair,and Anna Tacey. All five placed in theTop 6 in the event for Division 2. Further,Tacey was crowned champion on beam,Nixon placed first on floor, and Caseearned the title of all-around championfor the event.As a team, the Rams did so well theytallied enough points to eclipse Farmington,who was last year’s MHSAA StateChampion. This was a huge accomplishment,as Farmington was also their onlyloss last year.There is a lot of depth on the team,and although the Rams are currentlybeing led by those five all-arounders,Ankney is quick to point out that NicoleCurtis, Elise Kinlaw, Abbie Franko, OliviaSchubert, and Maya Anderson are allimproving their routines and may eventuallystep in as event specialists if andwhen needed.Ankney has a huge goal for her rosterof talented gymnasts.CONTINUES ON PAGE 20‘Just hanging around’ Seniors (L-R) Morgan Case, Elise Kinlaw, and Nicole Curtis ham itup for the camera. ~ Contributed PhotoFEBRUARY, 2020 ROCKFORDROAR.COM 19