Balance, focus and teamwork have defined this season for the FVHS gymnastics team as athletes work toward perfecting routines and building confidence. They recently held a meet Sept. 6 at the Raleigh School of Gymnastics.
Both junior Addison Pittenger and senior Jadyn Crews placed 4th on vault. Pittenger also placed 2nd all around and 5th on beam. Crews additionally placed 3rd on floor. Sophomore Lexi Lassiter placed 1st on vault and Senior Pyper Penland placed 2nd on vault. Penland has been doing beam since she was just three years old and began at clubs before transitioning to high school.
Olympian Simone Biles and the American Girl Doll McKenna, who is based on gymnastics, are the things that initially inspired Penland to start gymnastics.
“I always use the same wristbands for bars [and] I wear the same anklet,” said Penland.
During their practices, they start with a warm-up by running around and doing specific exercises, such as a deer run.
Then, they stretch and do 20-minute conditioning before moving on to the floor.
The team does three of each pass — meaning they do a sequence of connected acrobatic skills — and one or two routines. After that, they repeat their passes on the beam to work on skill and technique.
Lassiter mostly competes on the floor, and that’s where she feels most comfortable.
“I get to express my personality when I compete,” said Lassiter.
A part of gymnastics that a lot of people assume but don’t see is the mental block. It gets a lot of gymnasts in their heads when they can’t find the confidence to try a new skill, or when getting the hang of something becomes challenging.
“[When] it comes to trusting yourself, knowing what you can do and just having faith in yourself,” said Lassiter.
Lassiter began gymnastics when she was 5 years old, starting in 2015. Fortunately, one of Lassiter’s friends, Maya Robinette, brought her to “Bring Your Friend to Gymnastics” day.
The gymnastics team has been working hard, keeping each other motivated and uplifted as they begin the season. If you want to support your Bengals gymnastics team, catch them next at Langley Gymnastics Training Center in Angier on Sept. 27.
