I am passionate about gymnastics from many perspectives. First, I was a gymnast, then a gymnastics teacher, a gymnastics coach, and now a judge. I started coaching 35 years ago. When I was interviewed about my years as a coach one of the questions was "do you have any standout teams that come to mind", and my answer was "no, I remember more individuals even having had two state championship teams". My best memories have been about relationships. Relationships with individual students, with parents, with other coaches, judges, and more. It has been good.
My biggest concern right now is where high school gymnastics is going, especially in my own state of Kansas. I've coached club gymnastics and high school gymnastics and they are both good, both have their separate advantages and disadvantages. I have seen individuals blossom in gymnastics in both places. The team aspect that high school gymnastics brings is good for the girls who have competed as individuals for many years. I was pleased to hear about a petition that helped save one high school in another state and wonder why we didn't fight more for the schools we lost in our own state. What are some ideas others have that can help our sport?
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