Gymnastics preview: Ocean Lakes has won six consecutive region titles, but Dolphins and other contenders hope to end state drought
Storylines
State title aspirations
Hampton Roads hasn’t had a state championship team or individual all-around champion since Ocean Lakes snagged the Class 6 crown in 2020. A number of strong teams, including the Dolphins, First Colonial and Kempsville, will be vying to get to the top of the mountain this year.
While a Hampton Roads gymnast hasn’t won the state all-around title since Great Bridge’s Courtney Adams in 2014, the Wildcats’ Naya Howard won three events at the 2022 state championship, including bars, beam and vault. Howard is now a freshman at Georgia.
Uniform changes
There are adjusted uniform rules for high school girls gymnastics. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, high school athletes will have additional uniform options beginning with this season.
Some of the changes adopted include an expansion of acceptable uniforms “to reflect current uniform trends in the sport as well as accommodate cultural and religious norms,” Director of Sports and Liaison to the Committee Julie Cochran said in April.
Gymnasts now have the option to wear black undergarments, unitards, ankle-length leggings, tights or fitted shorts, as well as head coverings worn for religious reasons.
Longtime coaches
Over the past several years, Ocean Lakes has been a dominant force in Beach gymnastics, led by longtime coach Jennifer Ramey. Ramey is entering her 21st season with the Dolphins, making her one of the longest-tenured coaches in the area. At Green Run, coach Megan Gonzales is entering her 20th season, while Princess Anne’s Jacqueline Cinnamond is heading into her 13th season.
Strong squads
Teams are excited about an influx of new talent. At Bayside, coach Kelsey Brogan has “a large team and a young team” with plenty of depth and versatility. “We will present some strong competition this year based on what I’m seeing so far in practices,” she said, adding that this should be the Marlins’ strongest season in a while. Kellam is “coming into this season as a young team,” coach Alanna Parker said, with six seniors graduating after last season.
Learning throughout the season
Landstown finds itself in a unique situation, with a team made up of entirely seniors. Despite their age, much of the team is “pretty inexperienced” with just two gymnasts with club gymnastics experience, coach Rebekah Hazen said.
Five athletes to watch
Ainsley Cornstuble, Green Run: Last season, Cornstuble was a state qualifier in the vault and floor events and placed third in the all-around competition at the Class 5 Region A championships. Now a senior, she will help lead a Stallions squad with a strong core of returners and plenty of reinforcements in the freshman class.
Katie Wilkinson, Ocean Lakes: Wilkinson helped lead the way last year as the Dolphins won their sixth straight region title and placed third at the state competition. The sophomore is one of an “amazing core group of young ladies” returning to help get Ocean Lakes back to the state stage, coach Jennifer Ramey said.
Kyndal Jameson, Bayside: Jameson, a freshman, is a “brand-new addition” with “extreme promise,” coach Kelsey Brogan said. With private club experience under her belt, Jameson is one of several young athletes looking to make an impact for the Marlins this season.
Leila Snellinger, Ocean Lakes: Snellinger helped lead the Dolphins to a 10-0 record and a third-place state championship finish last year as a junior. After they lost four seniors to graduation, Snellinger is one of the elder statesmen for a Dolphins team eager to show it’s still the team to beat in the Beach.
Elle Ochave, Kellam: Ochave will help lead a young Knights team that lost six seniors to graduation. Last year, Ochave, now a senior, qualified for the state competition on the vault.
Sian Wilkerson, sian.wilkerson@pilotonline.com, 757-342-6616
