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Tumblers' Tales: Excitement Grows for 2017
July 14, 2016 04:17 PM | Gymnastics
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Though preseason is still two months away, the West Virginia University gymnastics team’s incoming freshman class is already setting records.
For the first time in program history, each of the incoming Mountaineers qualified for the Junior Olympics National Championships in her senior season.
The excitement that surrounds WVU’s 2017 freshman class continues to grow. Just last week, sixth-year Mountaineer coach Jason Butts announced the addition of Erica Fontaine (Hill’s Gymnastics) to the class, joining Chloe Cluchey (Capital Gymnastics), Kassidy Cumber (Gymstrada Gymnastics School), Abby Kaufman (Prestige Gymnastics) and Julia Merwin (Frederick Gymnastics Club).
Watch Erica Compete | Watch Chloe Compete | Watch Kassidy Compete | Watch Abby Compete | Watch Julia Compete
With the class complete, Butts, along with associate head coach Travis Doak, recently discussed their enthusiasm for the newcomers and his anticipation and expectations for the 2017 season.
Now that the 2017 class is complete, what do you like the most about this group of student-athletes?
Associate Head Coach Travis Doak: As a whole, this class could represent every spot in our lineup next year. They can do it all, top-to-bottom. Some of these gymnasts can anchor lineups, while others can lead off a lineup. They all are really great competitors.
Head Coach Jason Butts: Our freshmen saved us in 2016. The 2017 class is not necessarily better, but they have the potential to act in that role for us, too. They can match what this year’s freshmen did.
Do you anticipate relying a lot on your freshman and sophomore classes in 2017?
JB: Yes, absolutely.
TD: Unintentionally. I think it will just happen that way. We have incredible leadership coming in the door from this freshman class – they are very mature.
A goal of yours is for your underclassmen to push the upperclassmen to their maximum potential. It sounds like you expect that, too, from this incoming class?
JB: That’s a testament to our recruiting. This program is going to continue to get better and better as these gymnasts continue coming through our doors.
What does it say of this class that all five gymnasts qualified for the 2016 Junior Olympic National Championships?
TD: I think it says that all five gymnasts had fantastic senior seasons and are coming to WVU ready to compete. All five displayed great showmanship at the meet – they’re all so charismatic, and our fans will not be able to take their eyes of this group. They all have a very good presentation on the floor and compete good-level gymnastics.
JB: They hit everything on all four events. This is a strong class; there’s no underselling that.
TD: We’re really familiar with this group, too. We’ve seen them at WVU Gymnastics Camps. They all know one another, and they are coming to WVU united and ready to go.
JB: I don’t anticipate any adjustments with this group. They want to be put right in the system and are ready to go.
You mentioned before how you believe your returning gymnasts will be “hungry” in 2017 due to the fifth-place finish at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Championships. How will these freshmen factor into that hunger?
TD: I think each of these gymnasts is a competitor, and all five want more – they’re each looking to help this program build off our 2016 finish.
JB: They have limitless skill sets. I’m excited to get them settled in Morgantown and then get to work on their routines. I think we can build up their confidence quickly and work them into our system.
TD: As a coaching staff, we want to get better, and this group wants to get better. They’ve already bought into Jason’s philosophies, and there is no question they are going to make us better.
JB: They all are Mountaineers already, and they aren’t even in Morgantown yet! Their collective energy is focused on this program.
The WVU gymnastics team will hold its first official practice of the 2017 preseason in mid-September.
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