A week from today, the Madison Lady Bulldog gymnastics team will compete against their biggest rivals, the Deuel Cardinals. This will be their first competition of the season and will take place in Clear Lake, SD. Are both teams prepared for the first face-off of the year?
Madison is prepared to take on the Cardinals, but anxiously awaits the outcome due to the number of gymnasts ready for this first competition. Madison’s volleyball team was fortunate enough to play in the State Tournament this year and finished with a fifth-place trophy. Junior gymnasts, Kylie Krusmark, Raena Rost, and Olivia Flemming, participated in the State Volleyball tournament and haven’t been in the gym since early in the summer. This small set back might have an effect on the team’s score for the first few meets.
Madison gymnastics head coach, Maridee Dossett, has confidence in her team and says, “I feel like we’re off to a great start. We’ve got some great veteran gymnasts who are setting a good example when it comes to work ethic and pushing their younger teammates.” As for being prepared for the first meet, she explains that the biggest challenge for the team is “having the endurance to make it through a routine, and being skill ready.”
Another major challenge for the gymnastics team this year is COVID-19. Gymnastics is a sport that thrives on teamwork and team bonding. With social distancing and other new policies, there will be a new twist to competitions and practices. Coach Dossett states that the gymnastics team is a “close group, so it's tough not to get to hang out as normal.” Although she does add, “We can still support each other by cheering and encouraging from afar!”
The biggest change to this year's competitions will be the limited attendance at gymnastics meets. When asked about this change Dossett said, “It’s more fun when you can hear a crowd cheering you on, but we’re hoping to still have that support, even with smaller attendance.” The gymnastics team might actually have more fans this season, compared to past seasons, because of the online live stream. Friends and family members will now get to watch these athletes compete from the comfort of their own home.
Following the meet on Tuesday evening, the gymnastics team will have their first home meet Thursday, December 3. New COVID rules and policies will create an unusual environment for the sport of gymnastics. The Madison gymnastics team is hoping to keep meets on schedule, but with COVID-19 they can only wish for the best.