Strath Haven had a gymnastics team during the merger into the 80s with multiple championships and trophies. Despite its success, it seems to be a “lost team” at Strath Haven.
Since 1977, there has been a 75% decrease in the number of female gymnasts in the entire United States. The demise of the Panthers team may not have necessarily been a shift in Strath Haven’s culture, but instead part of a nationwide trend.
Students still look to enjoy tumbling in other ways. According to GMTM, a resource for gymnasts looking to be recruited, the average price of gymnastics classes is between $400-$800 a month at the higher levels. Gymnastics can take all year with training, competitions, and other miscellaneous things, making it a costly sport.
Senior Ella Carrozza, a gymnast for over 14 years, said students still want to be involved with school sports because of the community built around them by the administration. Senior night, coach support, student support, and support from the Athletic Director, Mrs. Lynelle Mosley, is what makes our athletic department amazing—something everyone can experience.
Senior Alberto Boydvera has done gymnastics for over four years and has recently coached gymnastics outside school. He states there are other ways to get connected with the sport.
“I think gymnastics are better operated by private institutions,” Boydvera said. “Cheerleading and dancing seem like comparable things.”
According to USA Gyms, the only states offering high school gymnastics teams are Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York (but only in New York City).
However, many schools in the country have competitive cheerleading teams and sideline cheer. These teams might have varying requirements for tumbling standards, however, tumbling is a big part of competition cheer and something that is welcomed.
Strath Haven has a competitive cheerleading team that has attended nationals in the past, including this season. Additionally, in terms of dancing, Strath Haven has clubs to turn to, like Dance Haven or Dance Team, and the marching band to which Carrozza turned.
“It is understandable why we don’t have one anymore because not many people do gymnastics in this area,” Carrozza said. “But I’ve been on the dance team for three years and I run track.”
The marching band is also something unique to Strath Haven. Like cheerleading, most schools have a marching band. However, not many are operated in a way where anyone can participate no matter the skill set, and there is no limit on members.
With our three different forms of color guard: silks, dance team, and dance line, there are ways to express your individuality through dance and swing flags as Carrozza did.
With all this being said, gymnastics is huge on the college and professional level, sought after outside of school with private gyms. And it is cool to see the history of championships within the school.
We don’t know the future of gymnastics and if the team will ever make a comeback. However, Strath Haven has opened doors for gymnastics to make some appearances within the school, even if it’s not exactly the same.
“I think it would be more interesting [to have a gymnastics team],” Carrozza said. “It would’ve been a great way for me to get involved with my school.”
