When you think of gymnastics, do you envision intense athleticism or artistic flips and stunts that defy gravity? Nathan Hale gymnastics defies the typical lines of a sport, combining athleticism and art built on dedication, hard work and team collaboration.
For these athletes, gymnastics is more than just what we see; it’s a challenge, a way of life, and a community of strong people. Gymnasts usually acquire basic skills in their early years that lead to the great performance we see now. When Junior team member Kalea Kriegler-Anderson mentioned her early years at Seattle Academy, she smiles.
“I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was a little kid,” said Kriegler-Anderson.
Senior Alivia Wagner, one of the two captains of the team, had a similar experience when joining Nathan Hale’s gymnastics.
“I remember being a freshman and thinking it was so cool we had a team,” said Wagner, “and now I’m captain. It’s been really great.”
What brings the two girls back together is the community. “Such a tight, supportive group of girls”, said Wagner.
Spending time together, whether it is through ice skating, team lunches, or cheering each other on at school events, they strengthen their ties both on and off the gym mats.
However, it’s not just the team bond that stands out. The coaching staff is crucial in this aspect. Wagner specialized in bars, and her support system is a key pillar in perfection and improving her skills.
“My coach is like, ‘Let’s make it happen,’” Wagner said, “She’s great. Supportive, understanding, and she knows everyone’s abilities and limits.”
Practices are targeted and well-balanced. They start with a demanding 30-minute stretching session before splitting up into smaller groups to focus on specific skills. The competitions are itself an art, complete with traditions like wearing ribbons, getting temporary tattoos, and switching between warm-up and competitive leotards to keep the team inspired.
Although gymnastics is a hardcore sport, injuries are rare because of meticulous preparation and warm-ups. Even with the stress prevention, unknown to us, these amazing girls have injuries, like back aches and shin splints. Nevertheless, motivated by the thrill of rivalry, they persist. Kriegler-Anderson admits that every meet versus Ballard High is challenging because of their exceptional skill.
Wagner finds inspiration in the way gymnasts honor their coaches and proudly march in front of the crowd at the meet’s opening ceremony. This season, the Nathan Hale group has high expectations. Kriegler-Anderson hopes the team wins the metro competition and believes they could make it to the districts.
Wagner pushes herself to learn something new every week and aims to become an expert at her bar routines: “I only focus on bars. It’s an opportunity to grow because you’re focused on one event,” Wagner said.
Gymnastics is more than just medals and winning. It’s about building a community of athletes who encourage one another, bond and make memories that last a lifetime. As the season goes on, this team continues to not only be highly devoted to the game but also to friendship, aspiration, and celebration.
