Hopkins Gymnasts Build On Foundation

Having shuffled several coaches prior to hiring Todd Hansen a year ago, the gymnastics team is looking for stability.

Hansen said he believes the Royals have found it.

Hopkins went winless a year ago in Hansen’s first year, but the foundation was set. Now, the Royals look to take the next step in 2011-12 with hopes of building toward success in the near future.

“We didn’t win a meet last year, but we became a team, which is the most important thing I was going after," Hansen said. "This year is different. I think we have enough talent to win meets.”

To do so, the Royals will look to a slew of young, talented gymnasts to lead the way. Freshman Ariana Brace will be a team leader, Hansen said, because of her budding talent. Maggie Graham and Abby Weitz will provide depth, and Grace O’Neil showed a year ago she has the ambition to succeed.

“When you look at the grades they’re in and their gymnastics ability, Hopkins in the next four years can build a state-competitive team,” Hansen said.

Hansen booked a variety of tournaments to help facilitate that growth in ability. The Royals will compete in five tournaments against teams outside the Lake Conference and Section 6AA to diversify their opponents.

Still, the likes of Eden Prairie and Wayzata—two state participants a year ago—will be waiting for them in Lake Conference and section play. Due to the new section lines this winter, all five Lake squads will compete in Section 6AA.

Hansen said he hopes getting a taste of their conference foes’ strengths during the season will help them compete come section time.

“I’m hoping that with this I can bring them to the next level of being competitors,” Hansen said. “My plan this year is to get them on the floor, the bars, the beams, put a little stress on them and get them ready for sections.”