As next week’s state qualifying meet approaches, the Lambert gymnastics teams gearing up to make a push for the top of the podium. Since launching the program four years ago, the Longhorns have never placed lower than third at the state meet and took home the state title in 2013.
A familiar foe stands in the way, as defending champ Buford has a strong group back and has edged Lambert in events this season. Michelle Drehoff, a former collegiate gymnast who has coached the Lambert program since its inception in 2004, is hoping her team peaks at the right time.
“We’ve been falling just behind Buford,” Drehoff said. “but we’ve been competitive with them. We haven’t necessarily had our full team each time, but it’s been close, and it’s getting closer.”
Dealing with a partial roster is a common issue for high school gymnastics teams, as many gymnasts also compete with club teams that get more attention from college recruiters. It’s a concern for Lambert and many other teams heading into Saturday’s state prelims, which will be held at Dunwoody High School. Many competitors are expected to also participate in next weekend’s regional Junior Olympics meet in Tampa, Fla.
Fortunately for Lambert, it Drehoff is expecting to have her full complement of gymnasts. Of note, defending all-around state champion Katie Stuart is planning to compete in both events.
“We think Katie will be able to work around (the scheduling conflict),” Drehoff said. “It may depend on which session we get (Saturday), morning or afternoon, but she’s competing in Florida on Sunday evening, so she’ll have some time to get down there.
“She wants to be able to compete in her senior year, and we want her to complete,” Drehoff added. “She was one of the ones who started with us four years ago, and we would love for her to be able to finish out her career with the program.”
Stuart’s participation will be critical to Lambert’s performance, but Drehoff also touted her program’s depth, including senior Delaney Givens, and sophomores Alaina Steinberg and Maddy Lord, a Level 9 gymnast.
“We’ve worked hard at developing all the girls down the line,” Drehoff said, “so even if we weren’t able to put together our strongest team, we’ve got a great amount of depth.”
The top 12 finishers in each individual event, as well as the top 12 all-around and top six teams will advance to the state finals, which will be held at Westminster on April 24.
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