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Revived intramural program increases Sweet Home's roster Sweet Home Gymnastics Club has returned and has increased numbers for the school's girls gymnastics program. Lady Panthers coach Dianne Weinert originally started the program 30 years ago as a way for middle school students to sign up for the team. The program was conducted during evenings. After a three-year hiatus, Weinert brought the program back two years ago as an intramural after-school program because of dwindling roster numbers. Since then, roster numbers have increased from eight two years ago to 12 last year to 17 this fall. The purpose of Sweet Home Gymnastics Club is to generate interest in gymnastics and give middle school students the opportunity to join the high school team. "The kids love it," said Weinert. "We usually get a big group. Some are gymnasts and some are not." The team's roster has also been boosted with the addition of three boys - freshman Matt Rao, seventh-grader Justin Sullivan and senior Ryan Bluestein. Rao competed on the team last year, marking the first time a boy competed on the girls team at Sweet Home. All three will compete on vault, bars and floor exercise. Rao and Sullivan compete at the club level at Greater Buffalo Gymnastics. Weinert said that if a boys gymnastic team is not present at the school, boys can compete in girls meets, including the Section VI Championships. However, each must take a selective classification physical fitness test and Section VI must give the OK. "On the first day, Ryan said to me, 'Didn't Matt take a little razzing last year?' and I said 'I don't know. Matt did you?'" said Weinert. "Matt said 'A little bit' and he had this sheepish grin on his face. All three are secure with themselves about doing this. The girls are fine with it too." The actual girls portion of the team is young, with its best gymnasts coming from seventh grade newcomers Lydia Penberthy and Jill Daddario, who compete in club gymnastics at Gleason's. Both compete in all-around and should be the team's best chance at doing well at sectionals. "They've worked well with the other girls," said Weinert. "They've actually taken over a leadership role in that they love to help other kids that need to put their routine together. The other girls look up to them." Juliana Ruiz, a returning junior captain, returns in the all-around, as does eighth-graders Carissa Turner, Kali Baird and Sydney Rait. Eighth-grader Alex Watts is back and will compete on vault and floor; Lauren Rabenold returns on vault, bars and floor. Freshman Denise Peters, last year's team manager, should compete on vault. Newcomers include seventh -graders Katie Stoll and Julia Chmielewski on floor, and junior Anna Alfonso on balance beam and floor. Sweet Home finished 1-6 last year and moves from Division I to Division II for this year. Weinert said the switch should allow the team to be more competitive.
"We don't have the depth as in the past, but I hope to have a stronger record than last year," said Weinert, who is assisted by Bob Rine. "I don't know if we'll go 7-0, but I would love to be able to win four or five league meets." |
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