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Family Owned & Independent Media Company - Est 2016 - Haslett, MI - Published Weekly
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Family Owned & Independent Media Company - Est 2016 - Haslett, MI - Published Weekly
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Coming together as a team can lead you down many roads. It can be difficult, it can be challenging but it can also be rewarding. It can also lead to the State Championship and the athletes of the Haslett United gymnastics team (Haslett, Williamston, Bath & St. Johns) have achieved just that.
“I am so proud of our girls for our performance this season. It wouldn’t have been the same without each and every one of these girls and their dedication to this team. It makes me astonished that we have brought our program to states for the first time in years.” Kala Genske, Williamston junior and a Haslett United Gymnastics team captain commented. “This team makes my love for the sport grow so much more each and every day. Regardless of our outcome at states we have already accomplished so much as a team. Thank you to everyone who has ever supported our program and we hope to see you in our stands next season!”
Constantly improving is what separates teams who do achieve their goals from those who don’t. Improvement requires focus and diligence, dedication and commitment. Haslett United has improved their scores throughout the season and it all happened because of their focus on execution.
When asked about their team’s progression through the season Haslett United coaches Marcie Durso & Shera Emmons talked about how they have 14 gymnasts on this team with all different levels of skills.
“They have continued to work hard to gain momentum by not only fine tuning their current skills, but worked very hard to upgrade to harder skills in their routines. Before Regional Competition, we totaled our top four average scores in each event for the entire season and set a goal to beat that. They did just that in each and every event!”
Training and focus is only part of Haslett United’s success story this year. Another contributing factor is the team environment and general atmosphere that Durso & Emmons work hard to foster. It may be the single biggest factor in their success overall.
“I think our advantage is that we have lots of consistency in our skills and routines and we work very hard and put lots of hours in every week to make us the best we can be. My teammates and coaches I came from a very tough and hard coaching gymnastics gym and coming onto high school gymnastics it was so fun.” St. Johns sophomore Krissy Howard commented. “All my teammates are very supportive and know how to work hard but still have fun, my coaches Marcie and Shera also make things so enjoyable. They are very flexible and understand that this is a hard sport especially on our body’s and don’t push me to do things we aren’t comfortable with. Competitions to me are more fun then stressful no matter how good or bad you do I can count of my team to be proud of me no matter what.”
When asked about what it was about their team that set them apart and what makes them different from the teams they are competing against this weekend, the coaches looked back to look ahead.
“It's how they came together in the beginning. It's how they kept together in the middle and progressed each week. It's how they kept working alongside each other towards the team's success.” Emmons and Durso mentioned. “A couple of weeks ago, it was decided that the end of the season slogan for us was - Unconditionally United. Trusting in themselves and trusting in each other. That sums it up perfectly.”
Haslett United will begin competing for the state title against twelve other schools Friday afternoon March 8th at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills High School. You can keep up with their progress at https://www.mhsaa.com/sports/gymnastics
Courtesy Photo
Pictured: Haslett Sophomores Christina Dixon, Vanessa Lardie, Calista Blue, Alexis Turner and Kaitlyn Johnson
Every high school team has a hallmark, and every program has an identity. For the Haslett girls varsity basketball team, their hallmark is continuity and their identity is winning. This years team is a little different though than most in the area as they are a playoff winning team, that features a group of five sophomores who are contributing for long stretches in their games. From opening tip to the final buzzer you will find Haslett’s sophomore players on the court. It’s unique for certain, but make no mistake, it is absolutely by design.
“I would say they have exceeded my expectations (this year) because I think our record is a little deceptive. I think people see 15-7, and I’ve even had people say it to me - ahhhh it’s a pretty good year – and I think to myself that’s on me. These girls have played one of the toughest schedules in the state, so I didn’t put them in the best situation a lot of games. I didn’t help them grow into their roles, I force fed that.“ Haslett head coach Ross Baker explained of his sophomores play this season. “The way that they’ve handled themselves, I look back at our losses and so many of those games were only one or two possessions. If those go our way we come out the winner. What’s great about these girls though is they don’t think about that, they’re just on to the next one.”
Baker’s Haslett teams have always had penchant for playing young players in key moments. They will get their underclassmen in even during difficult stretches where they are playing underwater, using a senior leader on the court to guide them through the possessions. It’s that experience that helps the team continue to be successful year after year. The team mantra doesn’t seem to be “next player up” like other programs, it seems to be “you are on this team today, and we need you right now”. It’s a means that allows young players such as Vikings sophomore Alexis Turner to flourish at a pace that exceeds normality. It’s a method that keeps Haslett dangerous year after year.
“I think it’s very valuable and teaches us a lot at a young age. We need to get a lot better very fast. Although we don’t have as much experience as the older girls, we are sure not to show it and act like we do, no matter what. We always push it to make ourselves better to help our teammates out.” Turner explained of the early minutes in pressure situations.
Turner is leading a talented group of Vikings sophomores this year, building on the lessons from the senior class before her, a vaunted group that also had to grow outside their comfort zone in front of packed gyms with little margin for error. The experience had helped them teach her guide this group to success.
“Our seniors were great last year and they helped us a lot and taught us a lot. They gave me advice to help me continue on with my basketball career - to play basketball and have fun, to let yourself go and play the game how you play it.”
There is little doubt that it’s a lesson that will be passed on once again.
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