Northfield's gymnastics program has built an outstanding tradition. It will continue this season with a senior-dominated roster.
It's maintaining that high level in the ensuing years that concerns coaches at any traditional power. The Raiders' senior group will also play a big role in seeing the legacy carried on in the near future.
"One of the things that has helped our club is the other girls who came through the program prior to this group," Northfield coach Paul Bernhard said. "Once others follow suit, it becomes a domino effect."
The Class 2A state meet runner-up a year ago returns eight seniors for the 2014-15 season. Half of them have been competing at the varsity level for at least five years.
"The nice thing is we get to keep our kids for up to six years," Bernhard said. "We get to watch them get stronger."
He has two outstanding senior captains to lean on this year in Bailey DuPay and Christy Anderson. DuPay is the two-time state champion on the balance beam, floor exercise and all-around competition. Anderson tied for sixth place in the floor exercise at the state meet last season.
"They could be the state's best 1-2 punch," Bernhard said.
The tandem has seen the transition firsthand, both becoming members of the varsity squad as eighth-graders. They have finished first or second in the state the past five seasons. The Raiders won back-to-back championships in 2010-11 before finishing as the runner-up the past three years.
"We always looked up to the older girls on the team," Anderson said. "The leadership of the seniors really does trickle down to the younger girls. We wanted to follow in the footsteps of the older girls."
Anderson and DuPay bring different leadership roles to the Raiders.
"Christy is a dream athlete. She has had to work hard to get where she's at today. She is the most coachable gymnast I've ever had," Bernhard said. "Bailey is energetic, and brings the skill set. Other gymnasts want to be like her."
Senior Alexis Kiefer is also back after finishing sixth on the balance beam last season. The other gymnasts in their final high school season are Odalis Andrade, Katelyn Gable-Wenner, Marissa Metcalf, Claire Paulson and Stevie Wachtler.
"We really have great senior leadership," Anderson said. "It's not just one person."
The rest of the roster is composed of one junior, two sophomores, four eighth-graders and one seventh-grader.
"In the past, we were really tight because we were growing up together. We were like sisters," Anderson said. "It's a little different this year because there is a huge age gap. We're trying to close that gap."
Anderson would like all of them to remember one word — discipline.
"To be a good gymnast you have to be disciplined," Anderson said. "You have to go the extra mile if you want to be on top."
In addition to the seniors paving the way, the youth movement also plays a vital role.
"It's important for all of them to be able to look the seniors in the eye and say, 'I want to be like that,' " Bernhard said. "We'll have a lot of turnover in the club, but it's starting to take shape. We'll be back. We're just reloading at the moment."
Ron Haggstrom • 612-673-4498
