In high school gymnastics, the best teams are often those that prosper from solid developmental programs.
While Anne Arundel County boasts one of the only girls gymnastics circuits in the Baltimore metro area, its teams often struggle when going up against powerful Montgomery County in the de facto state meet.
“When we go up against Montgomery County, it?s really tough for us,” Old Mill coach Andrea Jones said. “Montgomery County has a lot of all-around solid girls. That?s a huge club area down there. It?s really a learning experience when we go down there.”
In Anne Arundel, those areas with strong club programs can build a powerful high school program.
Enter Broadneck, which has run off a string of four consecutive county titles.
“They have girls that have been doing gymnastics all their life,” Annapolis coach Curtis Bland said. “With that amount of knowledge and experience for one team is just phenomenal for them.”
But Old Mill should give the Bruins a run for their money this year. Old Mill came in a close second to Broadneck in a Wednesday evening meet at Arundel.
“I think it?s pretty much going to be neck and neck with them all season,” Jones said.
Jones? squad will be led by junior Marlayna Ripley and sophomore Kyri Hinkleman, whom she said had Old Mill?s “cleanest, most solid all-around routines.”
On the boys side, Annapolis won the county title last year. They did lose two key seniors, but the returning group should be strong. Challenging the Panthers will be Broadneck?s Kyle Reagan, the top returning competitor in a boys circuit that is starting to rebound.
The hope among Anne Arundel?s close-knit coaching fraternity is that both boys and girls leagues will continue to grow and, in time, perhaps future competitions against Montgomery County will take on an even greater meaning.
“Competition level is actually pretty high,” Bland said of the county talent in general. “A couple years ago, it got a little small, especially on the boys end. But in the last couple of years, it has been picking up steam for boys and girls.”
GYMNASTS TO WATCH
» Kyle Reagan, Broadneck, Sr.
» Anthony Suskie, Annapolis, Sr.
» Taylor Adams, Annapolis, Sr.
» Joanne Amos, Broadneck, Sr.
» Marlayna Ripley, Old Mill, Jr.
