Expectations are again high for the Mitchell High School gymnastics team.
The powerhouse Kernels finished second in the Class AA last season and have won four state titles since 2014. Mitchell will again be gunning for the Class AA state title in February.
“We always set our goals high and I feel like it’s a good way to teach the kids to always achieve their goals,” Mitchell coach Audra Rew said.
The Kernels return a host of gymnasts with state-meet experience, and Rew said that helps with the expectations placed upon the team.
“We do have some newcomers, but it just makes things smoother where they know how to follow along with the older girls,” Rew said. “I had a large class of freshmen and now they are sophomores. They are just older, more mature, less emotional. It is kind of nice as everybody gets older they are able to step up in competition and handle the pressure of competing better.”
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Masy Mock is the team’s lone senior and will again lead the Kernels on and off the competition floor.
“It’s awesome having such a nice kid be a good leader for the girls and she supports them and cheers them on and helps give them pointers,” Rew said. “She helps in a lot more ways than just her gymnastics role on the floor. It’s awesome having a kid like Masy on anybody’s team.”
Emily Moody posted a third-place finish in the vault at state last season. Kyra Gropper finished fifth in the uneven bars. Joslyn Summerville, Bentley Bates, Chelsey Mohr, Tabitha Sadler and Maddi Lord are also among the top returners.
“We’ve got a great team and it’s just a matter of putting all the puzzle pieces together, keeping everybody healthy and actually getting to go to competitions,” Rew said. “We are taking one day at a time. We are happy to get to compete at all.”
Rew also anticipates Abby Helleloid, Olivia Prunty and Kyanna Gropper to bolster the lineup.
“I feel like this is an incoming group of seventh graders that potentially could compete in varsity,” Rew added.
The Kernels are expected again to battle it out all season with Eastern South Dakota Conference foe and defending state champ Watertown.
