The Aberdeen Central gymnastics program has taken a team approach to meets and the scores have been steadily increasing the past several years.
Last season, the Golden Eagles came within one point of reaching the all-time school record in points in a meet, and had a score of 135.427 for a sixth place finish at state. Individually, Taylor Schweitzer finished in a tie for seventh in the vault with a 9.116.
"We want to get fifth or higher at state this year," said Aberdeen coach Jennifer Deutsch. "As long as we don't have falls and hit our connections, we can do it. We should blow our high score out of the water this year and next year. I'm excited for this group of girls."
There is plenty of reason for optimism. The Golden Eagles graduated only one gymnast, Allison Marnette, from last year's team and returned a host of experienced athletes. The squad has 11 returning varsity gymnasts.
Again this season, the Golden Eagles have just one senior, Larissa Swanson, who along with junior Mattison Flakus, will serve as team captains for the second straight year.
"They are very good leaders in two different ways. They are two really good matches for captains. Larissa is more vocal and gets them to smile and laugh. Mattison is more quiet and talks to the girls individually. They work well together," said Deutsch.
Other returners include junior Jenny Janish, junior Alexis Clark, sophomore Hannah Langbehn, Schweitzer and sophomore Aimee Padgett. Aberdeen gymnastics fans will see more of freshman Amber Kallas, eighth grader Elise Cardella, sophomore Tessa Kimbler and freshman Jacynda Gelhaus.
"We have depth on our varsity," said Deutsch. "We have 12 girls all fighting for five or six spots on the varsity at every meet. Our numbers at the varsity level are high and they have strong skills. It's tough to make the decision about who to compete where. We will be trying to put the most consistent athletes into events. We'll be trying to find the formula to get us the best score."
A majority of the gymnastics team spent the summer doing workouts directed by Northern State strength and conditioning coach Todd Berner and training through the Aberdeen Gymnastics Association.
"They worked hard. This year we really see the improvement in strength and conditioning. It's helping them. It was a huge commitment to do the conditioning program every morning for 1 hours during the summer. Some of our varsity girls helped coach the little kids. They lived in the gym. That allowed us to hit the season hard and not rebuilding. We hope to see the results this year," said Deutsch.
The coaching staff will have Michelle Adams, assistant varsity; Denise Punt, head junior varsity; Lindsey Stucke, assistant junior varsity; and Jordan Swanson, middle school, with assistance from Marisa Aldinger. Warner gymnast Erin Punt will work out with the Aberdeen squad.
The Golden Eagles held an inter-squad scrimmage last week that served as a warm up for athletes and judges alike.
"The girls looked good," said Deutsch. "It made me more excited and hopeful for the first meet. We'll get some exposure the first meet and see where we are at the Hub City Invite. That's when the girls really want to shine."
The Golden Eagles open the season on Thursday by hosting Jamestown at 5 p.m. in a dual meet that will be held in the gymnastics center and auxiliary gym at Aberdeen Central High School. Aberdeen puts on the Hub City Invitational on Dec. 8 at Golden Eagles Arena beginning at noon.
2012-13 Schedule: November - 29, Jamestown Dual; December - 8, Hub City Invitational; 15, at Mitchell Invitational; 18, Tri-State Invitational at Jamestown, N.D.; January - 3, Aberdeen Triangular (Pierre, Stanley County); 5, Patty Jorgenson Invitational at Brookings; 10, at Watertown Triangular (Sioux Falls O'Gorman); 12, at Pierre Invitational; 19, Gymo-Rama in Rapid City; 24, Aberdeen Triangular (Huron, Watertown); February - 2, Eastern South Dakota Conference at Huron; 15-16, State Meet in Rapid City.