Mater Dei High School - Hi Lights Yearbook (Evansville, IN)

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GYMNASTICS TEAM: FRONT ROW: Assistant Coach Molly Alcorn, Kelle Beshears, Karen Rior- dan, Mary Beshears. Coach Debi Harrington, BACK ROW: Lisa Dezember, Julie Gries. Jenny Embry, Barb Minielli. (Photo by Alan Burdette) READY-SET-GO: Barb Minielli prepares and per- forms on the bars during S.I.A.C. while coach Har- rington looks on. Minielli was also a competitor on the beam and was the only all-around gymnast. (Photo by Alan Burdette) PEP TALK: Spectator Jenny Olivey came down to give the two optional gymnasts — Jenny Embry and Lisa Dezember a little talk before the S.I.A.C. meet. (Photo by Alan Burdette) ( IMo guts, no glory 1 101 They practiced three to four times a week, two hours at a time, They took outside lessons twice a week for nine months out of the year. On nights before performing they had cur- fews. They performed in front of their peer group. They had the best season ever for a Mater Dei gymnastics squad. They proved coach Debi Harrington ' s saying, No guts, no glory, to be true. Last year we had some disciplinary problems but I feel that the gymnasts realize that it takes discipline and the outside lessons, stated coach Debi Harrington, who was assisted by Molly Alcorn, Their dedication paid off when they defeated Reitz, a goal they set at the beginning of the year. It was at this time the gymnasts killed two birds with one stone. Along with beating Reitz, the three sophomores — Jenny Embry, Lisa Dezember, and Barb Minielli — managed to keep all of their individual scores between six and seven points. Although the team was small and young — six members being underclassmen — head coach Harrington was hap- py with the girls ' routines and their level of performance. She did feel, however, that they needed to polish the edges. With them being so young, they shoul d be able to add a little finesse, she stated. The gymnasts competed in City on February 27 and placed fourth, the best ever for MD gymnasts. S.I.A.C. was held on March 6 and the gymnasts fourth, On an individual basis a few of the gymnasts performed a little sluggish. Some of them were out a little too late the night before, but the total team score made a good showing for us, commented Harrington. Sectionals were again another good showing and put the Wildcats in fourth place, Senior Julie Gries was the only lettemnan and was out last year with a broken foot. She competed on floor, beam and vault. Sophomore Barb Minielli was the only all-around gym- nast and classmate Jenny Embry was out at the beginning of the season with a sprained ankle, but did see some varsity action on floor, beam, and vault. I liked the vault the best because it ' s what I started out on, she explained. Sophomore Lisa Dezember competed on the beam and the bars. Intermediate team mebers consisted of freshmen: Kelle Beshears; Mary Beshears; and Karen Riordan. The Beshears twins both competed on floor and beam. Riordan competed on floor. Coach Harrington summed up the season by saying, It was the best season ever for the Mater Dei gymnasts. — Joyce Martin

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POSED TO PERFECTION: Lisa Dezember poses for the judge during her beam routine at the Harrison meet. This was Dezember ' s first year competing at the varsity level. (Photo by Alan Burdette) 100 TOTAL COMMITMENT: Julie Gries concen- trates on her beam routine during the gym- nastics assembly in March. Gries ' hard work earned her the Kiwanis award. (Photo by Alan Burdette) GYMNASTICS STATS-N- FACTS INTER OPTION INTER OPTION Mater Dei 23.65 51.50 North 56.2018 80 Bosse 64.40 20.20 Mater Dei 11 50 52.85 Harrison 91.80 88.80 Bosse 82.90 37.75 Mater Dei 28.75 59.56 Bosse 42.90 33.90 Harrison 89.90 87.85 Mater Dei 23.65 48.35 Reitz 91.55 78.85 Harrison 93.10 93.25 Mater Dei 29.85 69.90 Central 84.25 63.05 Reitz 90.55 92.90 Meet scores not available: Jan. 27 March 1 Team Placings City — 4th place S.I.A.C. — 4 th place Sectionals - - 4tn place

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UP IN THE AIR: Junior and third singles player Stacey Taylor works on improving her serve during prac- tice. The girls spent many long and gruelling hours practicing each day, including morning sessions during spring break. (Photo by Alan Burdette)