Wooster gymnastics eyes postseason as pressure-packed season builds

Miss a shot in basketball, fumble in football or strike out in baseball, and there will most likely be more attempts in that game.

When the eight dedicated girls on the Wooster High School gymnastics team compete, they know there won’t be any do-overs. It’s one routine per competitor in each event.

Eventually, the season will come down to one last chance for some of the Generals at the district meet. One final chance to realize the dream of qualifying for the state meet.

Eighth-year Wooster coach Megan Hackett said gymnastics is as tough physically and mentally as any sport, but she believes her team has the moxie to make it a season to remember.

“This team comes in every day and works hard,” said Hackett, a 1999 WHS graduate. “We spend a lot of time conditioning to get in shape, and it's not like any other sport. You get one chance to hit your routine, and you don't have teammates to help. If you drop a ball in other sports, someone can pick it up for you. Our girls get one shot. We do a lot of pressure sets and a lot of routines in practice so that when they go to a meet, it doesn't feel so different.”

Wooster’s last individual state qualifier was Rachel Furlong, who advanced in 2021 for the third time in her career. Hackett believes the last Wooster team to qualify was about two decades ago.

“These girls have worked extremely hard, and I think they have a chance at getting to the state meet as a team or as individuals,” Hackett said. “They are great teammates with each other. They are kind, and they work hard. They've set some high expectations, and I'd love to see all of them come true.”

Wooster finished 8-4 in dual meets and second in the Northeast Gymnastics Conference last season behind Wadsworth. The Generals returned most of their key performers from that team and are brimming with confidence, with their biggest meets coming up.

Senior co-captains Danielle Hendrix and Amarah Painter, junior Molly Watson and freshman McKinnley Hackett have been the leaders.

Hendrix was first on the vault, beam and all-around while taking second on the floor against Massillon in a December meet. She was second on the beam at the Generals Invitational.

“Dani is a great leader, with a great work ethic,” Hackett said. “Sometimes I have some crazy ideas that I would like for her to try, and she's always willing to try and give me her best effort.”

Like many of the girls on the team, Hendrix started doing gymnastics in the YMCA’s Tiny Tumblers program as a toddler. Even though practices can last for three hours and the sport can take a big toll on the body, Hendrix said she’ll always be glad she became a gymnast.

“It's just the memories that come with it and the lessons,” said Hendrix, who plans to enroll in nursing school after high school. “I wouldn't be who I am without it.”

Painter’s strongest events are the beam and the floor, with the latter giving her the chance to “show off my dance.”

“I feel like this year our team is definitely the strongest that we've been in a few years,” said Painter, who’s planning to major in psychology in college. “Everyone's always very positive. We always keep all the energy up, so it makes practice really easy to get through.”

Watson was first on the floor in meets against Triway and Massillon and second in the all-around against the Tigers. She also excels on the beam.

“(The floor routine) gives me a way to express myself, the dance and everything about it,” Watson said. “I'm able to just be myself and have fun.”

Watson’s favorite event is the beam, on which she’s scored 9s a couple of times.

“I hope to hit some more 9s on the beam, and for the team, I hope to win the NEGC and hopefully make it to states,” Watson said.

“Molly is very, very quiet but comes out and competes like a maniac,” Hackett said with a smile. “She just comes out and works her butt off and does exactly what you ask her to do each and every day.”

Reggie and Megan Hackett have three daughters: Jay-Cee, who’s a junior standout on the basketball team; freshman gymnast McKinnley; and fifth-grader Huxley, who plays multiple sports.

“The girls all started off doing gymnastics, just because I think it's awesome for coordination, strength, endurance and all that stuff,” Megan said. “Once they got a little bit older, they kind of branched out to do different sports. They each found their love of which one they liked.”

McKinnley has a lot of high-level gymnastics experience and elite skills. She was first in the all-around at the Generals Invitational and against Triway while taking second in the all-around at the Rubber City Rumble. She’s posted multiple firsts on the vault and uneven bars.

Wooster’s big meets coming up are home against NEGC power Wadsworth Jan. 22 and hosting NEGC league meet Feb. 11. The district meet will be Feb. 28 or March 1.

For seniors Hendrix and Painter, this truly will be the last chance for them.

“It's sad to see it coming to an end, but I'm ready to see how everyone does,” Hendrix said. “I know we're gonna do great, no matter what.”