When head coach Jason Farr took over the nearly non-existent Redmond High gymnastics program in 2007, to say he was presented with a challenge would be an understatement.
But with more than 20 years of coaching experience and an infectious positive attitude, he has succeeded in rebuilding the Mustangs into a 4A Kingco force. And it all looks to come to a head in 2010-11 with a number of experienced varsity returners looking to make a splash at the state meet this February.
“They’re all working really hard,” Farr noted. “As a team, they’re really starting to gel, even the newcomers. I’ll attribute that to the captains – Ally (Garcia) and Maria (Di Iorio) have really stepped up and tried to keep everybody together and working.”
Garcia, a diminutive junior who has been training hard on the floor all summer in an effort to make state this year, said that being supportive of the girls who are new to gymnastics is one of her goals as a co-captain.
“We definitely want to send a few to state this year, that would be really rewarding,” she said, “Also… motivate the girls that haven’t done gymnastics before. Sometimes they have a hard time adapting to the sport.”
In addition to Garcia and Di Iorio, the Mustangs return a solid core including the team’s lone state returner in Cristal Spinrad, a senior who placed 7th last year in the bars, and senior Marjorie Drieu.
Drieu is nursing a hand injury and will probably be kept off the bars, but is a solid performer on the floor.
Also, the Mustangs pick up a pair of newcomers, senior Chelsea Polk and sophomore Kaylee Borms, both of whom have been impressive thus far. Polk is returning to gymnastics after some time off, and Farr believes both have a shot to make state.
However, with a vast difference in skill levels across the team, Farr will settle for daily improvements as his gymnasts refine their skills, hopefully peaking in the postseason when it matters most.
“I’m hoping to improve on what we’ve done last year,” he explained. “Our high score was (about) a 162, so if we can better that by a little bit, that’s great. We have the potential to be in the 170s.”
ADRENALINE RUSH
Farr said that this year’s group likes to have fun, but carries the ability to flip the switch when it’s meet time.
“Our group seems to be an adrenaline-based group,” he said. “When they’re out there in front of the judges, suddenly, now we want to do it.”
Always a big proponent of all-around versatility, the fourth-year coach pushes girls to reach outside of their comfort zone, to try and improve their technique in events that may not be their favorite, which in the end, will boost the all-around scores.
“Some of the girls that never would compete in bars or vault at all last year are actually doing it,” noted Farr. “They all looked at me funny and had that ‘oh, that didn’t go well’ look, but I said ‘Hey, you did it, the first time you’ve ever done it in competition.’ That’s a great thing.”
Di Iorio has taken Farr’s challenge to heart, saying that she has been working the most on beam to improve her all-around totals.
“(I’m) getting new skills that a couple years ago I wouldn’t have even thought (about),” she said. “For the team, we’re just hoping that each girl will try their hardest. Ally and I have been really big on supporting, and making sure girls are doing their skills. Encouragement is really big for us.”
MUSTANG GYMNASTICS AT A GLANCE
• Coach: Jason Farr, 4th season
• 2009 turnout: 18
TOP RETURNERS
• Sr. Marjorie Drieu: Strong on floor and bars, definitely hoping for a state berth in her final go-round. Hand injury may keep her away from bars.
• Jr. Ally Garcia: Strong leader and co-captain has extensive background in competitive gymnastics. Has worked tirelessly on floor in effort to make state.
• Sr. Maria Di Iorio: Senior co-captain is a supportive, encouraging leader for younger team members.
• Sr. Cristal Spinrad: The Mustangs’ only state returner looks to better her 7th-place finish on the bars last year.
• Jr. Katherine Smiley: Varsity returner adds depth to Redmond’s expanding roster.
KEY NEWCOMERS
• Sr. Chelsea Polk: Returning to gymnastics after some time off, she will help bolster all-around team scores.
• So. Kaylee Borms: Athletic-looking sophomore represents future of Mustangs’ program.
KEY MEET
Wednesday, Jan. 12 vs. Ballard, Garfield and Woodinville at Woodinville, 7 p.m.: Woodinville is the four-time defending state 4A champion. They graduated plenty of talent, but their program, as well as Ballard’s, is very strong and will be a threat once again.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2006, Coach Farr helped guide the Bothell High gymnastics team to its first and only state title as an assistant coach. He brings more than 20 years of experience and currently coaches at Eastside Gymnastics Academy in Woodinville, where the team practices.
