August 7, 2017 at 12:54 p.m.
Camp about skills, routines for Hodag gymnasts
Camp about skills, routines for Hodag gymnasts
The Hodags held a five-day camp for returning and incoming high school gymnasts late last month at James Williams Middle School and will return this week for another five-day session. The JWMS gym was unavailable for the team's use last week.
"We're just trying to get the girls back into it, work on routines," Hodag co-head coach April Denis said of what the coaches are looking to accomplish during the sessions. The apparatus for all four events have been set up inside the JWMS gym and those in attendance have practices on the equipment based on their individual wants and needs.
The RHS gymnastics team wasn't that big to begin with last year, roughly a dozen athletes strong, and attendance on a day-to-day basis has varied, depending on what other summer commitments the athletes have. But those in the gym have the benefit of nearly one-on-one attention from Denis, co-head coach Heather Sturtevant and former RHS gymnast Sara Krueger.
"That's a huge bonus when you have a small amount of gymnasts," Denis said. "We have three coaches here right now. We can work with anyone with any point in time, double-spot them, set up drills."
For some, the last time they touched the apparatus was at WIAA sectionals last February. Others have attended other camps and clinics this summer. Regardless, Denis said the Hodags' camp serves as a nice refresher three months before the start of winter practice.
"For those that have shown up, they have had a little bit of extra work," she said. "They may have a little more confidence in their routines. They feel like they've continued (their training). Though it's only a short time during the summer, season will right here around the corner. They keep their confidence built up and the excitement of wanting to do new skills."
In total, it's only 10, three-hour sessions but Sturtevant said the camp is vital to helping the team hit the ground running when practice begins Nov. 6.
"(We're) getting a skeletal routine, blocking out what our goals our, what skills we have that will for sure be in routines and kind of that wish list of if we can up one skill slightly," she said. "We don't want to be finding music when season starts so we want to get that part done now."
The Hodags suffered through a spate of injuries last year but still finished runner-up in the GNC Small and then finished sixth in WIAA sectional competition in Antigo. The majority of last year's squad is slated to return this winter.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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