After a fun and competitive season last year, the West Potomac gymnastics team is heading into a new year with even bigger expectations. With a growing interest in the gymnastics program and more promotion around the school, the turn out at tryouts increased from the previous season. Returning athletes are especially excited about the new skills they’ve been practicing and they believe that the strong community they’ve built together will give them a strong start to the season.

Many team members say they’ve already seen more attention towards the sport. Senior, Ellie Hankard, was a gymnast for eight years as a kid before returning to the sport two years ago in high school. As a member of the team last year, Hankard can see the team’s growth. “I think we have been promoting gymnastics a lot more, we saw a lot more people come to tryouts, and now be on the team,” said Hankard. 

The team’s relationship is one of the biggest reasons the gymnasts feel confident about the season ahead. Members of the West Po team spend long hours together, practicing and hanging out outside practice time. Hankard described the group as extremely close and friendly. 

“The team relationship is really strong. We’re very close, connected friends who hang out even outside of practice, and we’re able to rely on each other for other issues,” she said.

Sophomore, Virginia Hope, a gymnast for ten years, shared similar feelings about the team’s bond. “This year I’m expecting a really successful season because we have a lot of new girls joining,” Hope said. 

With a higher number of people now on the team and the return of experienced gymnasts, expectations have been raised from the previous season. “I have high expectations for this year. I think a lot of us have more practice and new skills that we developed, so hopefully it will go better than last year,” Hankard said. 

With returning athletes, new skills, and a strong environment, the team heads into the season ready to build on last year and push themselves even further.