The Becker Bulldogs gymnastics team is not letting the late start to the season affect their expectations, as they return a good deal of experience and have plans for a successful season.  With a talented and experienced squad ready for action this year, coach Kayla Kalinowski sees a bright season ahead for her team.

“Our goal like every season is to be the best gymnasts we can be,” says Kalinowski, who returns six letter winners from a year ago.  “If we can continue to improve our skills as the season goes on, we will have met our goal.”

Because the end of the season tournaments and potential state competitions are still to be determined, Kalinowski has her girls focused on individual improvements that are within each performer’s control.

“It sometimes seems hard to set goals with the future so uncertain” says Kalinowski.  “But when we set smaller, more specific goals along the way, it helps us to be successful and focused.”

A total of nineteen athletes are out for this year’s team, led by a pair of All State performers from a year ago in Riley Norberg and Lauren Woelfel.  Joining them as letter winners from last year are Sarah Woelfel, Theresa Johnson, Tessa Maruska and Justine Vilmo. 

There is also a nucleus of talented athletes waiting in the wings to add their own contributions to the effort.  Overall, it gives the team a great deal of experience and flexibility.

MSHSL rules allow the girls to begin competition on Jan. 21 and the Bulldogs are scheduled to be in North Branch that evening.  Gymnastics competitions are starting about a week later than most winter sports to allow for the girls to practice their routines and be safe doing it without having to rush for that first meet.

Kalinowski says that the mandated facemask rule for practices has not been an issue for her athletes and the girls have focused on enjoying their chance to be in the sport they love.

“These gymnasts have handled the face mark mandate amazingly,” says Kalinowski.  “The biggest challenge right now is making sure the gymnasts can hear our corrections through our masks.  It feels like we as coaches are constantly yelling so they can hear us!”

The team has not named captains yet for this season, but Kalinowski already sees some great competition in the practice room that should lead to an overall strong performance once the meets commence.

“While we have a few returning gymnasts that we know will be strong contributors to our varsity scores, we also know our varsity competitors can change from week to week and meet to meet,” says the coach.  “It makes for a competitive but fun practice when the girls know varsity spots are on the line each week.”

Kalinowski will be assisted again this year by coach Sheena Meillier and they have added Heather Peterson to the ranks as well. 

“She brings a fresh, new coaching perspective to our team as well as previous judging experience to make our coaching staff that much stronger,” adds Kalinowski.

In terms of a lineup, the coach says it is too early to know who will begin competing in which events because they have been focusing on getting in competitive form.  However, because they have so many strong candidates to choose from, it should lead to a competitive season.

 “Overall, our strength will be our depth,” says Kalinowski.  “It is hard to know exactly what the event strengths will be right now as we are trying get back into gymnastics shape from the extended time off.”

Regardless of how the lineup shakes out, the coach says the girls are focused on trying to get better at each practice and supporting one another.

“One of my favorite parts of gymnastics is that there are so many areas to contribute to our team,” she says.  “That gives many kids options to be able to compete based off of each event.”