Becker Bulldog gymnastics coach Kayla Kalinowski returns for her fourth season in charge of the program, and has perhaps her most experienced and deep squad. This combination is adding up to produce high expectations for a team that placed fourth in the Section tournament a year ago.

“We had no seniors last year so we return our entire varsity roster,” Kalinowski says. “This team has some pretty big goals.”

Kalinowski says that her team’s depth will be their biggest overall strength, and what the team lacks in numbers is more than made up for in quality participants.

“We may have a smaller team, but we are strong from top to bottom and have many gymnasts who will be fighting for varsity spots every meet,” the coach says. “We are looking to qualify for the State Class A True Team meet in January and finish in the top two in the section with the hopes of advancing more people to the State Tournament.”

 The team should be led by a pair of top performers in senior Riley Norberg, a two time state qualifier, and eighth grader Chloe Spear, an All-conference and All State award winner a year ago.

“Riley and Chloe should be contending for varsity all-around spots this season,” Kalinowski says. “We are looking for solid, consistent routines from both of them this season.”

In term of other contributors, Kalinowski expects consistent battles in practice with freshmen Bella Kuschel and Sofia Bonsante expected to step in to fill roles. In addition, Emma Hennessey and Cassie Larson are returning from injuries and will bolster the team’s depth.

Assisting Kalinowski on the coaching staff this year will be Sheena Meillier, who also returns for her fourth season, as well as newcomer Brent Wuollet, who has been coaching and spotting for many years with the Anoka and Monticello programs.

The team did not name captains this year, but Kalinowski will look to her five seniors for leadership: Norberg, Sarah Woelfel, Tessa Maruska, Theresa Johnson and Justine Vilmo.

“Our early focus will be on getting into routine shape and being consistent before adding more difficulty as the season progresses,” Kalinowski says.

As always, the team will have to persevere through some difficult opponents to ultimately meet its goals, with their rivals from Big Lake providing a big test.

“In our conference we expect Big Lake and Cambridge to be our biggest challenges this season,” Kalinowski says. “In our section, Big Lake will be our biggest challenge but we are looking to put up a good fight against them.”

After a year of COVID-19 restrictions last season, the coach says that her team is just looking forward to having a full slate of spectators and a chance to work on their routines throughout the year. 

“We are excited to get our season started and hope to be able to have a full season with fans in the stands to cheer us on,” Kalinowski says. “At the end of the season, I hope to have improved on our overall record from last season and be able to look back on the season and know that we gave it our all and came together as a team to accomplish our goals.”