There’s been a shuffle of leadership, but the Overland gymnastics team looks as strong as ever in 2012.
The Trailblazers — a co-op of gymnasts from all Aurora schools — won the Class 5A state championship last season and will go for a repeat under different leadership, at least in title, as Lisa Sparrow takes over as head coach.
Sparrow was an assistant for Alan Herron for eight years and now has Herron assisting her, which doesn’t make much transition at all. What also hasn’t changed much is Overland’s depth and championship potential.
“I think when you win state, you always come back as the team to beat, whether you are strong or not,” Sparrow said. “I certainly think the girls have the potential and work ethic to do it again, but at the end of the day it’s a matter of who puts it together at state.
“I think one of the strengths of our team is we focus on our team and doing the best we can. If that’s second, we’ll be happy with that.”
The Trailblazers will have a very similar look to the team that captured one of only two state championships for Aurora teams last fall — the other going to the Regis Jesuit boys golf team — by knocking off rival Cherry Creek.
Overland has a big spot to fill with the graduation of Megan Adams, the team’s top all-around gymnast for the past four seasons who was 4th in 5A in 2011, but depth continues to be the team’s biggest strength.
Juniors Ashlynn Graybill and Aimee St. Martin, sophomores Kellyn Toole and Devin Bundas and freshman Katie Johnson form the core of a group with a mix of talent and leadership.
Toole — a talented multi-sport athlete who attends Regis Jesuit — finished sixth in the all-around competition last season and has improved several skills, most notably the uneven bars in Sparrow’s eyes, that could push her higher up the podium.
Fellow sophomore Bundas is also back and is regaining her form after a major knee injury that cut her state meet short last season.
She helped Overland to the state championship in the team competition and qualified for three individual event finals, but injured her knee during warm-ups.
Bundas had surgery and wasn’t cleared to compete until the beginning of August, but Sparrow sees her passionately working to get back her confidence and ability — especially with a dynamic floor routine.
“It was very disappointing for Devin to not get to compete in individual event finals, for her, the coaches and a lot of people in the state who were excited to watch her floor routine,” Sparrow said.
Johnson was a very strong youth gymnast who took a year and a half break from the sport, but has returned. Sparrow believes she’ll be another strong all-around gymnast who has the potential to be a state placer.
Graybill is strong on the balance beam and St. Martin is solid and has strong leadership qualities, giving Sparrow a unit she feels very comfortable with going into the new season.
“I have a good feeling about this team,” she said.
NOTES: Overland is traditionally a host to one of the three Class 5A regional meets, but won’t be this season, as Arvada West, Cherry Creek and Mountain Range have those duties. …The Overland Invitational is Sept. 22.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
2012 AURORA GYMNASTICS
Key dates — Overland Invitational: Sept. 22; Regionals: Oct. 25 at Arvada West, Cherry Creek and Mountain Range; State meet: Nov. 2 (team), Nov. 3 (individual) at Thornton High School
Overland 2012 gymnasts to watch: Devin Bundas, soph.; Ashlynn Graybill, jr.; Katie Johnson, Cherokee Trail, fr.; Aimee St. Martin, jr.; Kellyn Toole, soph.
