By BUTCH HARMON
When it comes to dominant high school programs, few can match the success of the Grand Ledge gymnastics team.
While some teams have won two or three consecutive state titles, and a few are even aiming for a fifth this year, the Grand Ledge gymnastics team has won six straight state titles and is setting its sights on a seventh this season.
Not only do the Comets win state titles, but they also win almost every time out. Going into the Kenowa Hills Invitational on Jan. 25, Grand Ledge has won 97 straight competitions.
This year’s squad has its sights set on extending the state title streak, and with several veterans back, the Comets are on pace to make that a reality. The one fly in the ointment, however, is injuries.
“We have a really, really good team this year,” coach Duane Haring said. “We have a team capable of scoring in the high 148s. This is also the first year we’ve been plagued by injuries. We have been loaded with injuries, and I just had my number three girl go down with a shoulder injury that may be for the rest of the year.”
The Comets returned a solid core of veterans this year, led by senior Presley Allison and sophomore Rachel Hogan. Last year, Allison led the way in Division 2, as she won the all-around competition with a score of 37.875. She finished first in vault, beam, and floor and was third on the bars. Hogan, in her first year of high school gymnastics last year, finished 10th in the all-around competition at the state meet.
“Presley is just an awesome all-around gymnast,” Haring said. “Rachel is a sophomore who was a superstar last year, and she is even better this year.”
The Comets also have some talented newcomers, led by sophomore Tiana Seville. Seville, who had worked her way up to the third spot, suffered the shoulder injury in practice Jan. 23 and is in a cast from her shoulder to her finger.
“This year’s team is as good as last year’s team, but I’ve never had the injuries like this,” Haring said. “We are just going to have to take things day by day. We are not going to give up, and every other girl on the team is going to have to pick it up. When Tiana went down, the girls just said that each one is going to have to find another tenth of a point, and those tenths will add up to a point. This team does not have any quit in its blood.”
Veterans like junior Taylor Stevens and sophomores Lexi Payne and Maddie Loftus are some of the gymnasts Haring is looking at to step up and help overcome the injuries.