What It Takes to be a State Champion Gymnast

Maddy+Kim%2C+Kat+Schaffer%2C+and+Kira+Karlblom+pose+for+a+picture+during+the+state+send-off+parade+before+the+state+gymnastics+meet.

Maddy Kim, Kat Schaffer, and Kira Karlblom pose for a picture during the state send-off parade before the state gymnastics meet.

The Prairie Ridge Girls Gymnastic Team won first at state Friday February 19 and 20.

How long does it take to accomplish this goal? The girls on the Prairie Ridge gymnastics team have been training their lives to accomplish a goal of success at the state competition. Kat Schaffer, Maddy Kim and Kira Karlblom explained what it takes to be the best at their sport.

How many practices did you have a week to prepare for State?

Kat: There were five practices a week to prepare for state, and each week we were there for twenty hours. It takes a ton of commitment to be on a gymnastics team that excels at their sport and so we had to practice a lot.

How long have you been doing gymnastics?

Kira: I’ve been doing gymnastics for around twelve years.

Maddy: It’s been around ten years.

Kat: I started when I was two years of age so I’ve done it for fourteen years.

When does the season start?

Kat: Competitions start in November and go through February. Gymnastics is a sport where you train year round with your club, but for school gymnastics it is only part of the year. We never stop training unlike other sports where there is an off season. We never get an off season so that we are always at our best year round.

What does it take to be a good gymnast?

Maddy: Well first, you need to have some talent but also you have to put in the work to get the results that you want. And you have to be mentally strong because gymnastics throws so many obstacles and to know how to handle them is the way to succeed.

Kira: I definitely believe you need commitment, motivation and a minimal amount of fear since you face different challenges while competing.

What’s the difference between regular competitions and state competitions?

Kat: Even though we’re at state, our coach doesn’t want to psych us out so he tells us to go out and be the best we can be. Regular competitions are so laidback. It’s not a big deal if we mess up. At state it really counted and you had to do your job for the team. For club gymnastics, everything is individual. But for school gymnastics we work as a team and depend on each other to succeed.

Describe the first day of State.

Maddy: The first half of State was very long and sometimes I didn’t really know what was going on but the second half was a lot better and we came together as a team and cheered everybody on.

Kat: It was very nerve wracking because everyone was expecting us to win, but it was also exciting because we knew our potential and we knew we could go out there and blow everyone away.

What was the best or worst experience?

Maddy: The best was when we won and took pictures with the trophy and also when I was able to fill in for [my hurt teammate]. The worst moment was while I was competing in floor and flew out of bounds and into the crowd.

Kira: I loved working as a team and motivating one another. It gives you a sense of accomplishment that the team is all in it together.

Kat: The worst moment was when one of the girls on the team dislocated her knee and injured herself. That was so unexpected and when it happened it felt like winning would be a lot harder than we thought. But I knew I had to go out there and do what I had to do and not dwell on that. The best moment was on the second day when they announced our name and we could finally say we’re State champs again.