photo by Kiera Classen

In her humble beginnings of Tampere, and since age nine, Annamari Maaranen-Hincks started doing gymnastics at her school after seeing flyers for the after school program.

“They put posters up everywhere and I took interest. I walked into the gym and have loved it ever since I started,” said Annamari who kept with gymnastics because of how much fun she was having. “Not only was it fun, but there is a lot of variety. You can go from springboard to doing gymanstics on the floor,” she said.

Annamari kept learning about the sport as she went along in her journey. “You learn something new everyday. There is always room for improvement. That’s why I loved gymnastics.” Annamari then took her game to an entirely different level than most athletes. As she kept working, she showed improvement, and she then qualified to go to the 2007 World Championships in Germany. In order to be an Olympian, the athlete must do very well in the World Championships. Annamari said, “When going into the competition, I knew that there was pressure on me. It had been 44 years since someone from Finland had qualified for the Olympics in gymnastics.” Annamari said she had the competition of her life, impressed the judges, and was qualified for the 2008 Olympics, going to be held in Beijing. It was only five days before she was heading to America, where she was to join the University of Denver’s gymnastics team.

Annamari had received an athletic scholarship in 2007 from DU in gymnastics, which she accepted and was planning on attending. Unfortunately for her Olympic opportunities, it wasn’t the best move for her. Annamari said, “While competing in Denver, I got a knee injury. I didn’t recover in enough time to go back and compete at an Olympic level.” Yet, this opened up doors for her at TJ.

Annamari finished school at DU and was looking to take a year off from her studies. TJ athletic director Lani Nobles emailed Annamari’s gymnastics coach and recommended the head coaching job of girls gymnastics at TJ to anyone who was interested. Nobles said about the hire, “With her expertise as an Olympic athlete and a Division I gymnasts gave her the experience to be our head coach.” This opening  comes in the wake of former head coach Tim Hardy stepping down, after four years as TJ’s head coach of gymnastics.

This scenario fit perfectly into Annamari’s schedule. “I thought it would be a great experience; I could use my ability to help younger girls move along in their experience.” She accepted the job, and also became a paraprofessional in the Special Education department at TJ.

The season started and Annamari got right into her groove as head coach. She has a coaching style to help these girls, from beginners to experts, learn the sport she knows so well. She said on her coaching style, “I follow a few principles. We are a team. If one player is late to practice, the whole team does conditioning.” This is crucial in gymnastics because it is such a team sport. What one girl does affects what the next girl has to do, and so on. Annamari also said, “Each girl has to establish a sense of trust with each teammate. That is why I stay on them to remain as a team.” Annamari also says she tries to stick to a single coaching style. “I had so many different head coaches when I was younger. There were the really mean ones, and the ones that never yelled at anybody. I try to find my style one that is consistent.” She also tries to involve the athletes in decision making. “I don’t want [the athletes] to feel like I have created a dictatorship. I want everyone to be included.” She feels this mentality keeps a feeling of team spirit.

Annamari also stresses practice for her gymnasts. She tells them, “Practice is huge. You only get better through practice in this sport. It’s so no one gets hurt during competitions. You have to learn how much your body can handle.” It is clear that between her coaching style and her emphasis on practice, the team has come a long way since the beginning of the year. She says about the improvement, “They have realized that everything is organized, whether it’s a meet or it’s just practice.” A true team effort has been showing throughout the season.

Annamari also saw that she was getting a large range of experience in gymnastics. After being able to work with the kids she said, “I know that I have to baby them along. Make sure they understand the basics first.” As evidenced by the team’s recent practices, the girls also feel very comfortable around Annamari. They have light-hearted conversations with her, and have comfortable practices, without too much tension.

But this coach may not last long for the Spartan gymnasts. Annamari is looking to head back to school. “I really want to finish my education. So, I am not sure if I can continue coaching here.” But, Annamari will not be leaving this esteemed program in the dark. “I will make sure that these girls get a great head coach, and the head coach will expand this team. At least get it to a JV and Varsity team.”

Annamari also got four of her gymnasts to go to state, held on November 4, 2011. Ashley Nordloh competed on floor and vault, Tyeler Johnson, Danika Trammel, and Megan Stone competed on vault for Annamari.

Annamari is a great coach for many reasons; mostly because she is a world champion and an Olympic athlete, and not many programs can brag with those qualifications.

Photo by Suprina Williams

During the TJ vs. East match, the ladies felt they did a good job of supporting each other.

Going against a well-known team of about 80 girls, the TJ gymnastics girls did phenomenally well considering that they only had 23 gymnasts, many of whom were unable to complete for this match. It’s no secret that team members needs to stay eligible with their grades, especially with such a small team. ‘We could have done a lot better, but I’m proud we still supported each other; but everyone [on the team] needs to start paying attention,” said gymnast Heather Zink.

The lady’s next match was against Kennedy at Kennedy High school on September 23. “We are going to take it to Kennedy,” saed Heather Zink enthusiastically in anticipation of the first win for the season. The goal for the meet against Kennedy was to get most of the girls to become all around competitors, thus giving the team an advantage over its opponent. The ladies felt good going into that match because of the home gym advantage and thinking Kennedy’s gymnastics squad would be the perfect opponent to show what great competitors the TJ gymnastics team is.

The match was what the ladies had needed all season, and it ended up being very fun, and relaxing for all competitors. “They were nice to us, so it was entertaining,” saed gymnast Maiya Vishnyakova.

The next match for the TJ gymnastics team is the Pink Meet.

Photo by Suprina Williams

The Thomas Jefferson Gymnastics team hopes to continue to improve its skills this year, starting with their first meet against Ponderosa on September 9^th, 2010. “It looks really fun. I decided to join the team since my friends are on the team,” says freshmen, Kendra Lehman.

Gymnastics here at TJ has had a challenging past, but the team seems to be continuously improving with each year. Four years ago the team had a score in the low 70’s, but since then they have increased their score impressively. Last year the team total score was 117, a clear leap of improvement that deserves applause. Last year nine girls went to state. “We are a young and an inexperienced team, although our top two competitors should be going to state this year hopefully, as well as others,” said the 4^th year Coach, Tim Hardy, who said the team has much work to do, but the ladies have been working on it since the beginning of August. One may see them practicing Monday through Friday at 3:15.

This season the gymnastics ladies will be in for a bit of change; the tactics used this year will take a different approach than in the past years. Although the team is mostly new and inexperienced, the team has been known to pull it together, and unite as a strong force.  “[I’m] pretty nervous, but we will do well this year. There is a lot more girls on the team this year,” says 4th year gymnast, Heather Zink. The team this year will also be coordinating how to share players with cheerleading, a system that could benefit both programs in the long haul. The best idea for the gymnasts is the cooperation and willingness to trade skills with the cheerleading program.

Photo by Rebecca Holt

The lady Spartans traveled down to South High School to take on the Rebels, and were unable to come away with the victory, losing 107-138. The Spartans were lead by Sophomore Heather Zink and Seniors Alex Palmer and Jenelle Archuleta. Palmer, who finished with an all-around score of 24.5 with a balance beam score of 6.1 could not be happier with the direction of the team. “We played well, we just need to work on some minor things. I like the direction that we are going and I enjoy the senior leaders we have on this squad,” said Palmer.

The ladies next match will be on October 20 when they travel to take on league rival Kennedy. The Commnders, who have had a fair year so far will be looking to get revenge on the Spartans who were able to defeat them last year. The match will be held at Kennedy and will  begin at 7:00.

photo by Rebecca Holt

The TJ girls’ gymnastics team came out firing Thursday night. Junior Heather Zink lead both teams, compiling an all-around score of 24.25. Not far behind her was Senior Alex Palmer, who finished with an all-around score of 22.25.

The girls also fared well in the vault. Zink finished with a score of 7.7, and she also placed first in the uneven bars finishing with a score of 5. Palmer finished with a 4.25. “ We really played well against East. I think our team really came together and grew. I like where we are heading and I think that we have a good chance to do something in Regionals. I am ready to take on Kennedy,” said Palmer.

Freshman Ashley Nordloh won in the balance beam category with a score of 6.45. Palmer finished with a score of 6.15. Zink additionally took the floor exercise with ease finishing with a 6.25. Senior Jenelle Archuleta finished in third place on the floor overall, finishing with a 5.4.

The girls will next be in action on Thursday, October 1, when they take on the Kennedy Commnders. The meet will begin at 6:00 pm and will be held at Kennedy.

Gymnastics squad prepares for their first meet. photo by Rebecca Holt

On Thursday, September 10, the girls’ gymnastic squad traveled down to Ponderosa to square off against the bruins. Although the Spartan ladies put up a valiant effort, they just were not able to pick up the win, falling by a final score of 108.8 to 117.8.  The Spartans were lead by the triple threat Senior crew that is Jenelle Archuleta, Katie Dehmlow, and Alex Palmer. “The girls did awesome in their first match,” exclaimed Head Coach Tim Hardy. “We scored 35 points better this year than we did last year in our first match,” said Hardy.

The girls excelled most on the vault. “We did well, and we are all really satisfied with our scores,” said Senior Tyler Cobb. “We are definitely headed in the right direction,” she added.

The girls will look to build off of a positive first match, as the ladies will be traveling down to Northglenn for the annual Northglenn Invite. The meet will be on Saturday September 12, and will start promptly at 8:00 in the morning, so be sure to support your Spartans.
Thu     9/24/09    Denver East High School     Thomas Jefferson High School     6:00PM
Thu     10/1/09    @  John F. Kennedy     John F. Kennedy High School     6:00PM
Sat     10/3/09    @  Sterling Invite     Sterling High School     8:00AM
Thu     10/8/09    Denver South High School     Thomas Jefferson High School     6:00PM
Tue     10/27/09    @  Tiger Tumbler     Summit High School     6:00PM
Sat     11/7/09    @  State Gymnastics Meet     Thornton High School     9:00AM

The Lady Spartans look good through their first few meets.
by Matt Kleberger
photo by Kevin Fleming     
    The Lady Spartans gymnastics team started the season off  with a loss to Ponderosa, with the score being 135-Ponderosa, to 66- TJ.

    However, on Thursday September 11, the squad had their first home meet of the season against the Littleton Lions. Junior Katie Dehmlow placed in every event in which she competed, placing 6^th on the balance beam, 6^th on the uneven bars, and 5^th on vault. Alex Palmer, also a Spartan junior said, “We’re getting better all the time, we just need to keep improving like we have been.”

    Thursday night at TJ, the Spartans lost but by only a small margin of 19 points, but the Spartans’ 97 came up shore against the Lions’ 126. Sophomore Heather Zinc, also placed in all events in which she competed, scoring 5.55 on her floor exercise and 4.0 on the uneven bars.

    Saturday was another Spartan day for gymnastics, as the girls went to the Northglenn Norse Invitational. The ladies did fantastic scoring 70 point behind the efforts of gymnasts Jenelle Archuleta, Jesse Shuler, Sunny Vela, and Kendall Kippley. They finished the day in 7^thplace.

    Head Coach Tim Hardy said, “Improvements are being made on the difficulty of the routines. More superior skill levels are also being made in the routine choreography."  Hardy went on to say, “We need to fill the roster on all events. Sickness and eligibility have slowed the amount of girls competing down, and next week will hopefully be a full roster.”

    On Thursday October 2nd the ladies will have their second and last home meet at TJ against the Commanders of John F. Kennedy High School. So come out and support the team at 6 pm in the gymnasium.

By Marc Houghton

    The TJ girls’ gymnastics team traveled to Ponderosa Thursday night to take on the second ranked Mustangs in their first meet of the season.  Ponderosa took the win, but the Spartans exceeded all of newly named head coach Timothy Hardy’s expectations for their first meet.  Hardy set a goal for the team to score 60 points, and they ended up with over 73.  The girls faced a big challenge, going against a talented Ponderosa team without any meet experience under their belt, but they stepped up to the challenge and did better than they could have hoped.
    Good performances from the TJ gymnasts included first year team member, sophomore Alex Palmer doing a great floor routine and fellow sophomore Jenelle Archuleta finishing the meet with a solid set on the uneven bars.  With a new coach, the team didn’t know how they would fare with their first taste of competition, but this opening meet was a good sign of things to come for the rest of the season and the Spartan gymnastics girls hope to keep the good performances going. 

Coaches

Head Coach: Tim Hardy

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