Coach: Kelly Loranger

What’s new: Kelly Loranger is the only returning coach of the Mount Si winter sports season and, after a good performance in 2015, has seen the program grow in participation.

Despite losing skilled seniors to graduation last year, the program has seen a growth in participation from students of all grade levels.

“At the end of last year we had probably 17 girls and this year we are starting with 27 and still at 27. I didn’t have anybody that decided not to do it,” Loranger said.

With all of the gymnasts from last year returning and a big group of freshmen, the captains and other returning athletes have an opportunity to act in leadership roles and help out the newer students. Loranger said that most of the students have had past experience with gymnastics so it isn’t difficult to jump right back into the sport and help teach the others who are less experienced, as well as work on their own skills.

”Because I’ve had 27 and they all have past experience, they all motivate themselves in the gym,” she said. “Everybody has their own competitive self, they all do love each other, but they are going to be competitive with each other.”

Looking ahead: Captains Samantha Holmes and Lauren McCallum said one of the things they are focusing on is developing the new athletes who have joined the program.

“We lost some strong seniors last year, but in addition to that we gained some strong girls this year. We are trying to utilize the new talent we got,” Holmes said.

In their first meet of the season against, Eastlake, Mount Si finished with a team score of 151. McCallum said it was a good score for the first meet of the season and it shows them where they can improve and what they need to work on.

McCallum is looking forward to seeing how the season will end and putting a lot of effort into preparing for the post season.

”Just seeing where we end this season, trying to push ourselves in post season. Trying to qualify for state,” she said. “We are really looking to best ourselves. Also looking forward to getting to know the girls more. It will be fun to see new faces. We have new people in every grade level.”

Captains: Seniors Samantha Holmes and Lauren McCallum

Don’t Miss: Mount Si vs. Skyline at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8 at Mount Si High School.

Mount Si Gymnastics Schedule

Thu, Dec 8, 7 p.m., vs. Skyline at Home

Thu, Dec 15, 7 p.m., vs. Bothell at Bothell High School

Thu, Jan 5, 7 p.m., vs. Woodinville at Bellevue High School

Thu, Jan 12, 7 p.m., vs. Newport at Newport High School

Thu, Jan 19, 7 p.m., vs. Issaquah at Home

Sat, Jan 21, 7 p.m., JV Invitational at Inglemoor High School

Thu, Jan 26, 7 p.m., vs. Inglemoor at Home

Sat, Feb 11, TBD, District Gymnastics Meet at Woodinville High School