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PITTSBURG —
Members of the Pittsburg Family YMCA Shooting Stars gymnastics team will compete in the AAU District Gymnastics Championships, scheduled this weekend at Fort Hays.
“Around 700 gymnasts from around the state of Kansas will be competing,” said Janie Terry, coach. “We have 30 girls going.”
There are 55 gymnasts between the ages of 5 to 16 enrolled in the Pittsburg Family YMCA gymnastics program, up by 22 from last year. The competitive team is one component of the program.
“Throughout the year we attended eight competitions in the Wichita area, Kansas City and Wamego,” Terry said.
Gymnasts also become involved in the community.
“We adopted a family for Christmas and did a canned food drive,” Terry said. “We do fun activities throughout the season, and we always do a fun ‘spirit week’ before state competition.”
This year was no exception. The coach said the girls went to Tropical Sno, will have a crazy hair day and wear team colors.
Terry said the season starts in January and runs through May. Sometimes things get hectic, especially with girls who are involved in other activities.
“Many of the girls at the upper levels are in track or volleyball, and in school sports you have to be there,” the coach said. “I try to work around school schedules. If a girl says she has one hour available, I’ll come in and work with her for that hour.”
The Shooting Stars did an exhibition meet a few weeks ago to show the community what this competition is like.
“Some people worry about competition, but our competitions are more laid back and we try to stress that the girls are having fun at all times,” Terry said.
Personal growth, the development of confidence and self-esteem, and life skills are also stressed.
“Each girl does a journal and reflects over the past year and goals she’s achieved,” Terry said. “The girls do a lot of goal writing and we post things around the gym. The girls write positive things about each other, and if someone is struggling over a hump she’ll be encouraged to read the posts. Sure, I want them to learn gymnastics, but my main goal is to build self-esteem and confidence, and teach life skills, such as responsibility.”
She added that she couldn’t do it all without the excellent staff.
“We have 10 staff total, including three competitive staff,” Terry said. “We’ll be having team tryouts in late May, and we see a lot of potential kids coming up. The recreation coaches are doing a great job of getting them ready for the competition team.”
Members of the Pittsburg Family YMCA Shooting Stars gymnastics team will compete in the AAU District Gymnastics Championships, scheduled this weekend at Fort Hays.
“Around 700 gymnasts from around the state of Kansas will be competing,” said Janie Terry, coach. “We have 30 girls going.”
There are 55 gymnasts between the ages of 5 to 16 enrolled in the Pittsburg Family YMCA gymnastics program, up by 22 from last year. The competitive team is one component of the program.
“Throughout the year we attended eight competitions in the Wichita area, Kansas City and Wamego,” Terry said.
Gymnasts also become involved in the community.
“We adopted a family for Christmas and did a canned food drive,” Terry said. “We do fun activities throughout the season, and we always do a fun ‘spirit week’ before state competition.”
This year was no exception. The coach said the girls went to Tropical Sno, will have a crazy hair day and wear team colors.
Terry said the season starts in January and runs through May. Sometimes things get hectic, especially with girls who are involved in other activities.
“Many of the girls at the upper levels are in track or volleyball, and in school sports you have to be there,” the coach said. “I try to work around school schedules. If a girl says she has one hour available, I’ll come in and work with her for that hour.”
The Shooting Stars did an exhibition meet a few weeks ago to show the community what this competition is like.
“Some people worry about competition, but our competitions are more laid back and we try to stress that the girls are having fun at all times,” Terry said.
Personal growth, the development of confidence and self-esteem, and life skills are also stressed.
“Each girl does a journal and reflects over the past year and goals she’s achieved,” Terry said. “The girls do a lot of goal writing and we post things around the gym. The girls write positive things about each other, and if someone is struggling over a hump she’ll be encouraged to read the posts. Sure, I want them to learn gymnastics, but my main goal is to build self-esteem and confidence, and teach life skills, such as responsibility.”
She added that she couldn’t do it all without the excellent staff.
“We have 10 staff total, including three competitive staff,” Terry said. “We’ll be having team tryouts in late May, and we see a lot of potential kids coming up. The recreation coaches are doing a great job of getting them ready for the competition team.”
