Farmington United gymnastics’ depth a ‘breath of fresh air’ heading into season

FARMINGTON — Farmington United coach Jeff Dwyer has manned the coaching staff since 1986, winning five state championships in the process.

Yet Farmington’s 2023 squad features something Dwyer said he’s never had during his tenure.

“I got eight girls returning, and I got some good girls returning, but out of these new girls, I’ve got five or six that could really help out,” Dwyer said. “I’ve never had this many new girls.”

Courtesy of seniors Grace Spencer — who finished tied for eighth in the all-around at the 2022 state final — and Marnie Jacobs, Farmington was able to bring in a healthy amount of talent to carry into the season.

“It’s like a breath of fresh air,” Dwyer said. “A lot of the seniors like Marnie and Grace, and I would send out stuff because we needed people, but I don’t know what network these ladies did, but they would get me names and I would email the parents.”

The depth comes at a much needed time, for Kamini Playle, who finished third in the all-around at the state finals last year, and Sara Lashbrook graduated in 2022.

“That was a tight group with Kamini and Sara Lashbrook,” Dwyer said. “When Kamini and Sarah graduated, because Kamini could score nines on every event, now you have to replace those nines.”

Led by senior team captains Spencer, Jacobs, Abbey Mohr and Peyton Beals, Farmington’s veteran experience and newly acquired talent will look to create a formidable squad this season. Junior Isabelle Dechen and sophomore Bella Thibodeau will look to build off of their successful 2022 campaign.

“Last year was an amazing season, but with such a small team, it was hard to get up there against teams,” Spencer said. “I am feeling very confident with this team and the potential we have. We have a lot of depth and young talent, and I think we will be able to use it to our advantage.”

Newcomers expected to make early contributions are sophomores Leah Hodge, Elena Anzivino and Sophia Yee. Dwyer said he expects Hodge, who took her freshman year off from gymnastics, to take a significant step forward this season.

“If she comes back healthy and gets in shape, I think you’re going to see her name pop up at meets,” Dwyer said.

The culture Farmington has established is simple: success and state championships.

A strong senior core has always been a constant for Farmington, and this year remains true to that.

Spencer, Jacobs, Beals and Mohr are ready for the challenge this season, and Jacobs said Farmington’s previous seniors are to thank for that.

“Ever since I was a freshman, I always looked up greatly to the seniors,” Jacobs said. “They were so supporting, caring and encouraging and made being on the team feel like such a privilege. I hope to do the same for the younger girls this year.”

On top of encouragement and support, Dwyer said the seniors will be tasked with expressing the most important part of being on the Farmington gymnastics team.

“If you’re new on the team, maybe that doesn’t mean anything to you, so you have to let them know, ‘Hey, we work hard in the gym and we work to compete,”’ Dwyer said.

While depth creates competition, having too much talent is always a good problem to have.

Jacobs said that, regardless of the size of the team, she expects nothing but the best.

“I definitely think the dynamic will be different this year because our team has doubled in size, but I know we’ll have a positive outcome, and we’ll continue to create a supporting and fun environment,” Jacobs said.

It’s the final run for Farmington’s seniors, who will search for their first state championship since 2019.

Spencer, who has been at the forefront of Farmington’s success since her arrival onto the team, said the team’s dynamic has brought an extra element of confidence.

“I think the fact that we have such a large team with such young gymnasts, we will really dominate in having that depth,” Spencer said. “I think we are going to have a really strong team overall, and I’m excited to see where we go.”

Farmington will open its season on the road against Grosse Pointe United Dec. 15 at Grosse Pointe North High School.