Switch pays off for Mounds View, gymnast

Mounds View junior Nikki Birr is no stranger to gymnastics, but she's still getting used to performing on her high school's behalf.

Birr joined the Mustangs this winter after a decade competing for Midwest Gymnastics club. She made the switch to reduce the wear on her body but also to enjoy the pageantry of varsity athletics.

She said her teammates dress for school on meet days in different ways, from formal wear to sporting their leotards just for fun to donning "our Midwest Gymna- er, Mounds View gymnastics sweatshirts or T-shirts."

Teased for the slip, Birr said, "They both start with M."

The laughs are coming easier for Mounds View this winter. Coach Julie Coopet said club imports such as Birr, freshman Crystal Hanson and sophomore Anna House have elevated the team from "a great group of girls with good skills to a great group of girls with great skills."

Mounds View entered the week 5-1 in the Suburban East Conference, its first truly competitive season in Coopet's 10 years with the program.

Birr, who has won the all-around in three conference meets and took second twice, spoke with Star Tribune reporter David La Vaque about coming over from club, making the Mustangs stronger and her favorite event.

A It feels awesome knowing we can go into a meet and have an actual chance to compete. When I was in club, I would stay after practice and watch the high school meets and you can just tell from last year to this year how much the energy has gone up.

Q Was it the wear and tear on your body that made you leave club or was there more to it?

A The body was a big thing, but it was also because I knew it was my junior year of high school and I wanted to do something more involved with the girls at school.

Q How difficult was leaving?

A It was difficult because I've been in club gymnastics since I was 6 years old. It was a big choice, but I'm happy with the decision I made.

A It's a little bit of both. They trust my decisions and what I know how to do. But they also tell me what they think I can do better. They still work with you to make you the best you can be.

Q Is there a meet that stood out from a team standpoint?

A I think it's how we're doing this year compared to last year when they won only one meet. This year we've only lost one. Helping our program get recognized is a really big team accomplishment.

Q Is there a meet that stood out from an individual standpoint?

A I think it was the meet against Cretin-Derham Hall where I got my high score on floor. Floor is my favorite event so that meet stood out.

A I've gotten more out of the experience than I thought I would because of all the connections I've had with all the girls and getting recognized in high school.