As alarms blare, text messages light up the girls varsity gymnastics team’s phones, reminding them what gear to pack for the meet, what’s on the lunch menu and most importantly, blowing up the group chat with messages like: “Get excited — it’s meet day!”
Team captain, Arria Miller (11), starts off the day by waking up early and sending out the team’s “hype” texts, filling the group chat with positive energy and reminders of what to bring for meet day.
Miller has competed in competitive gymnastics since a young age and joined the school’s team her freshman year, later becoming a team captain in her sophomore year.
Following the morning preperations, the girls head to school displaying “TPHS Gymnastics” gear. After a busy day of classes, varsity captain, Carly Cohen (10) recounts how they prepared for the meet.
“We get early release at 1:05, having a team lunch together on campus,” Cohen said. “We usually get Jersey Mikes, and it is a great time to connect with the team before the meet.”
After lunch, the team splits up and works on setting up different apparatus and equipment.
The team practices four days a week: two practices at TRC Gymnastics in Solana Beach, using provided equipment and focusing on skill work. On the other two days, the team focuses on conditioning at the school’s gymnasium, working on abdominal exercises or building body strength.
Heather Dugdale, varsity gymnastics coach and Associated Student Body accounting assistant, shared the setup process.
“Our entire team works on setting up the gym; we set up bars, floor, beam, vault,” Dugdale said.
Before the competition, the girls slip into their vibrant leotards and get to work on their hair.
“To prepare for the competition and bring up the energy, girls on the team who are skilled braiders will braid the girls’ hair,” Cohen said.
To kick off the meet, the girls warm up with stretches and a positive attitude. Entering the meet, each team does a march-in, introducing each school.
On April 25, the school’s girls’ varsity gymnastics team competed in a dual meet against Westview High School. The events are similar to Olympic-style meets, each team competing in vault, bars, beams and floors.
“We focus on cheering everyone at their events and creating a very energetic atmosphere,” Miller said.
Dugdale shared the joy of coaching at the meets.
“My favorite part is watching a girl nail a skill that they have been working on and watching them succeed during the competition,” Dugdale said. “We really have a special group, they are so fun to be with.”
After all of the events have rolled out, the girls are presented with their awards, compiling a team score made up of individual event scores, and later help break down the equipment, concluding the day and putting away all apparatus.
“Our meets are always such a great time and cheering each other on just creates such a positive community,” Cohen said.
