Brecksville-Broadview Heights Gymnastics Starts the Year Out Strong

The Brecksville-Broadview Heights Gymnastics season is underway, and it's already looking good for the Bees. 

The team’s first two meets—Dec. 20 and Dec. 27—resulted in two wins. 

That’s not surprising when a team has won the state competition nine times in a row, and more than half of the team is made up of returning seniors.

“They are very dedicated athletes,” said Coach Joan Ganim. 

It’s a big year for the seniors—there are 12 of them, and just 10 juniors, sophomores and freshmen. 

The first few meets have been good for the gymnasts, judging from some numbers supplied by assistant coach Maria Schneider. 

Senior Jessie Matia had the best score in the all-around at both—a 35.825 on Dec. 20 and a 36.8 on Dec. 27—and took the high scores at the beam, bars and floor on Dec. 20. She also had the highest score on the bars on Dec. 27 and tied for the highest score on the floor with freshman Jamie Waugaman. Waugaman also had the highest score on the beam on Dec. 27 and the highest score on the vault on Dec. 20.

Other high-scoring gymnasts from the first two meets were seniors Mea Weaver, Michelle Moock and Morgan Krejci, junior Kendrah Neff, sophomore Riley Nowacki and freshman Madison Trout. 

The team’s unbroken winning streak puts some pressure on the gymnasts, Ganim said. It’s not even about winning; it’s about not being the team that loses.

But the team aspect of the sport makes it fun, too; it’s not just about the individuals, she said. It’s a sport that takes a lot of work and inspires discipline. 

The team’s next meets are the “Beauty and the Beast” tournament—a dual meet with the wrestling team—on Jan. 11 and the Rock-n-Roll Classic on Jan. 12. Both are at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School.

"I am looking forward to watching these girls attain their goals this season,” Schneider said in an email. “With 12 seniors, my wish is for them to finish their season knowing that they gave it their best and to create memories that will last for a lifetime."