Minnetonka Gymnasts Prepare For Strong Year

The Minnetonka gymnastics team enters the 2011-12 season primed for success. The Skippers return virtually their entire team and a gymnast who reached the state meet a year ago.

The key?

“Our regular season goal is to be better than we were yesterday every day,” co-coach Janelle Borgen said. “For every athlete to be able to compete to their potential—if everyone can work hard and be ready to compete to their potential.”

It all starts in practice.

The Skippers will benefit from two state meet presences this fall. Senior captain Allie Ryan took 25th overall on the beam last year, and her experience in a high-pressure high school meet should help her influence her teammates, Borgen said. 

“It helps to have Allie on our team who has experienced it, rather than me who as a coach experienced it 20 years ago telling them it’s really cool,” Borgen said.

The other state influence on the squad is co-coach Samantha Howard, who competed at state for Henry Sibley in high school. Her presence will further help develop Minnetonka’s skills in the gym, Borgen said.

Incoming gymnasts like Shawna Burroughs will help provide depth. Burroughs, who couldn’t compete on varsity a year ago due to transfer rules, will bring a competitive spark to the team on the vault.

“Her vault is ginormous,” Borgen said. “We’re just happy to be able to use her this year with all her skills. Pretty much every event of hers is pretty solid.”

Along with Ryan, Lauren Meese and Danielle Hannafin will be captains this winter. Both are strong leaders, Borgen said. 

“Lauren and Dani have been on the team since freshman year if not younger,” Borgen said. “Dani was a captain last year. She has the experience of helping organized the team and being a leader on the team. Lauren is just a naturally strong leader, and both are incredibly hard workers.”

The challenge will be competing in a deep Lake Conference, which includes last year’s state participants Eden Prairie and Wayzata. Due to section re-alignments, all five Lake squads will compete in Section 6AA this winter, meaning only one will advance to state.

The Skippers hope facing each team once in the regular season, as well as diversifying their competition at tournaments in Roseville and Buffalo, among others, will help prepare them for February.

It starts with improvement every single day.

“It will be fun to see who beats who during the season,” Borgen said, “and who comes out at sections.”