Farmington Unified gymnastics aims to be a state-title contender By Sue Teggart FARMINGTON — Farmington United gymnastics coach Jeff Dwyer was “beaming,” so to speak, with excitement during the squad’s Jan. 27 practice. The reason for his enthusiasm was the team’s performance the night before — a victory over the united Avondale/Athens squad in which his team hit a season-high score of 148. “There’s probably five teams that can hit maybe mid-140s,” Dwyer said. “Grand Ledge (2008 and 2009 state champs) … they’re in the high 140s, so it was good to get a high 140. It just means that we’re a pretty good team, and we’re recognizing that we have a chance, maybe, at a state title.” Competing for a state title is nothing new for this program. Last season, Farmington, a unified team of North Farmington and Farmington High gymnasts, finished third at the state finals. The squad was runner-up in 2008 and reigned as state champions from 2004-2006. “We’ve always been ranked, and I think the expectations have built this program,” Dwyer said. “(Gymnasts are) coming in here not just to do gymnastics; they want to win. Once you’ve been on a roll, you have more girls try out.” The squad boasts nine returning gymnasts, five of whom perform on the squad’s “A team” — gymnasts who net the points in competition at meets. “We have seven to eight people who could compete for us on any event,” senior Sam Kohl said regarding the team’s depth. “We’ve got a lot of high-level depth,” Dwyer added. “We graduated some very good gymnasts, but the girls coming back got stronger, and they’re all at a higher level.” With nearly every team member already qualified for regionals after meeting qualifying standards, the girls are turning their focus to what Dwyer called “bonus high superiors” or high-level tricks. “Right now, we’re in routine shape. So this is the fun part of the season, where we can try new tricks and new combinations, and see if they work,” Dwyer said. “In a sport where meets are decided by tenths of a point, having those higher-level tricks means a lot.” “Now that we have our routine endurance, it’s about fixing the little things and adding the harder skills,” Kohl said. “It’s about adding finishing touches to please the judges.” Dwyer said incorporating — and mastering — those complicated combinations means closing the gap on Grand Ledge. “If we’re going to compete with Grand Ledge and try to catch them — and individually try to catch them — we have to have those tricks,” Dwyer said. “Their advantage right now are high-level routines, and that’s what we’re working on.” Farmington will get a preview of what Grand Ledge, and other top squads, have in their arsenals at the Canton High Invite, which gets under way at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 6. You can reach Sports Writer Sue Teggart at steggart@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1107. |
