NEW PALESTINE — The season has yet to begin, but the New Palestine Dragons gymnastics team is already off to a better start than 2022.
From preseason to post season, the Dragons dealt with nagging injury after nagging injury.
The 2023 group comes in, currently, healthy, which is a major plus considering the intense physicality of the sport.
“It’s a much healthier group, at least at this point,” New Palestine coach Deb Bruns said. “Right now, everybody is healthy. Last year we started off hurt and injured. This year is more typical. Yes, we might end up with a sprained ankle here or there, but it’s great to see everybody healthy and not hurting at this point.”
If the Dragons can avoid the quantity of trips to trainers and doctors, Bruns believes the team should be strong, led by a pair of returnees in senior Addyson Kendall and sophomore JJ Fee. They’re expected to be joined in the all-around rotation by a pair of freshmen, Lynzie Stiller and Olivia Frank.
“Those are the four I’m looking at probably being the leading scorers this year,” Bruns said.
There are others on the squad with big meet experience who should give the team some depth in case the injury bug hits again. Senior Emily Hunter, a vault specialist, juniors Blakelie Brubeck and Rebecca Johnson, a pair of big meet vets, and sophomore Chiara Polo, who had a strong frosh campaign, all return from last year’s team.
Newcomers in the mix are senior Rylie Chambers and freshman Reagan Seal.
Even with continued juggling of lineups due to injuries, the 2022 team was able to get to regional competition. They placed second to Richmond at the Connersville Sectional. The Dragons placed fifth at the Franklin Central Regional.
At the sectional, Kendall finished third on bars (8.500). Fee was fifth on beam (9.075) and sixth on floor (8.700).
“I think, at the regional, that’s when everybody’s body kind of called it quits,” Bruns said of her team toughing it out throughout the season. “Every week there were meets I was looking around, ‘who am I going to put out?’”
If the team can stay on the mats instead of the training table, Bruns believes they can have a very strong season, but she’ll be cautious with this group. The 2022 season is still too fresh in her memory.
“I feel like we have a very good shot winning the sectional this year,” she said. “And, I think we have a good chance at making it to state as a team. But, we’re starting slow. There are a lot of skills I have not put back in routines yet. We’re kind of holding off and trying to build up so we don’t risk an injury. There are kids capable of doing harder skills, but we haven’t put those skills back in yet. It’ll probably be a couple of weeks down the road.”
A veteran coach and former Dragon gymnast, Bruns knows the sport can and, most likely, will include bumps and bruises and possibilities of injury.
“I’ve never had a team that I have been this careful with at the beginning of the season,” she added. “It’s a little bit of being gun shy from last year. It’s a little bit of there’s a lot of talent on this team and let’s hold back and hopefully we will have some great results next month.”
The season was scheduled to get underway Tuesday at Connersville. The team has five home meets, beginning Thursday against Shelbyville, Waldron and Lutheran. This season, all home meets will be at the Gymnastics Company in Wanamaker.
2023 New Palestine Gymnastics Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
Jan. 10;at Connersville;6:30 p.m.
Jan. 12;vs. Shelbyville/Waldron/Lutheran;6 p.m.
Jan. 14;at Viking Invitational (Valpo);12 p.m.
Jan. 17;vs. Westfield;6 p.m.
Jan. 19;at Columbus North;6 p.m.
Jan. 26;at Roncalli;6 p.m.
Jan. 31;vs. Noblesville;6 p.m.
Feb. 4;at Rushville Invitational;10 a.m.
Feb. 8;vs. Franklin Central/Muncie Central;6 p.m.
Feb. 11;at Bloom. North Invitational;10 a.m.
Feb. 16;vs. Morristown/Scecina;6 p.m.
Feb. 21;at Shelbyville;6 p.m.
Home meets at The Gymnastics Company in Wanamaker
