Schools clash with clubs for gymnasts

Most top gymnasts in Colorado Springs have to make a choice upon entering high school. In order to garner college scholarships, they must work with club coaches, who discourage and sometimes forbid them from high school competition.

“It’s tough when you have great athletes who are not competing for their high school because their club won’t let them,” former Doherty coach Mark Cummings said. “They are working with club for several hours per day, and often they can’t take time from that and risk injury to compete for their school.”

Cummings, who coached at Doherty for 23 years, retired from coaching because of the decline in participation.

“I want to be a competitive coach, and I can’t do that at the high school level anymore because club gymnasts are not coming out,” he said.

Schools also have a hard time raising money to buy proper equipment so their athletes can safely practice and compete.

“We just got a really good deal on a spring floor from Doherty, so that’s going to be nice,” said Amber Curry, coach of a combined Pine Creek/Liberty team. “We just do the best we can.”

While Curry has seen the impact of club gymnastics, she remains optimistic about her team’s chances.

“We have lots of depth this year, and it looks like we’ll even be able to have a JV team,” Curry said of her squad of 13 gymnasts. “(Club) has cut into the experience level, but we still have people coming out.”

Team Previews

Cañon City — State-qualifying senior Sara Ready will lead a team that is strong on the beam and in the vault competitions. Seniors Kiara Snelson and Erica Say will help mentor a strong group of freshmen, including all-arounder Sarah Mulberry.

Palmer Ridge — Top returners include Cassandra Whirl and Kristi Glock. Laura Fishlock, Cambrielle Huey and Caitlyn Tandy also return. Eva Prileszky is out 4-6 weeks with a broken hand. Newcomers include freshmen Alex Schweigert and Ali  Haller. 

Pine Creek/Liberty — Senior all-arounders Hannah Brown and Ava Hildenbrandt will lead an Eagles team that hopes to qualify for state competition again this year. Brown, who specializes in bars and floor, is recovering from a summer back injury, but should return in time to help lead a promising group of sophomores including Natasha Borowec, Lexi Herrera, Melissa Hedemarc and Ana Tucker.

Rampart/Air Academy — The Rams return six members of last year’s state-qualifying team, including juniors Amy Boyd and Brooke Johnson. Seniors Brittany Morris and Erin Sparrow are joined by junior Kiersten Cooley and sophomore Sarah Johnson.