Tumbles, flips, jumps, and landings are just a small part of a gymnast’s life, and — as competition season approaches — three gymnasts—  Elsa Runquest, Jane Brunell, and Raegan Small —  will begin the most intense time in their sport.  The three go to Gleasons gymnastics club and practice every day of the week except Wednesday and Sunday. Practice runs after school from 3:30-7:30 p.m. except on Saturdays, when they practice from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Junior Raegan Small said how she got into gymnastics “My mom put me in it when I was two.”

She stuck with it because she fell in love.

“Its fun, my teammates are fun to be around, and I like the community,” Small said.

To be a gymnast one needs to be in tip top shape to be able to flip around. Their practices consist of lots of conditioning and working on new skill moves for particular events. Meets occur during the winter and the rest of the year is spent training.

Small said that even after 15 years, gymnastics hasn’t gotten boring: “When I practice my skills I get excited to show them during competition season and then start on new ones after.”

Sophomore Elsa Runquist started gymnastics because, “I was acting crazy around the house, climbing on cabinets at age 3. I needed a way to let out my energy.”

She said she likes it because she enjoys hanging out with teammates and, even now, it’s a good way to let out her energy.

Managing the rigorous homework load at SPA becomes a matter of time management to Runquist: “I use my free periods and talk to my teachers.”

Freshman Janie Brunell is the youngest of the three gymnasts. Like Runquist, gymnastics became a way to let out her energy. “I couldn’t stay still and I kept climbing on things,” she said.

Most of the gymnast are pretty humble about the amount of work that they do, but to be a gymnast requires hard work and dedication.  For Small, Runquist, and Brunell, it’s worth it.