Gymnasts look to future, challenge for KingCo title

By Matt Phelps
Mercer Island Reporter

The Mercer Island High School gymnastics team had 45 girls turnout this season — 25 are freshman. The youth movement could make for a slow start but will add more talent to an already strong lineup.

“I don’t see it as a rebuilding year,” said Mercer Island head coach Lenny Lewis, who is entering his 19th season with the team. “I think we will be one of the top three teams in KingCo.”

Mercer Island seniors Olivia Harvey and Laura Maruhashi will lead the way for the Islanders on the scoreboard as they are both among the top all-around gymnasts in KingCo.

“I expect that they will demonstrate leadership and make this a more cohesive team,” said Lewis. “They will help to direct the girls and help me push them.”

Maruhashi and Harvey are not like most gymnasts, as they are both multiple-sport athletes. That difference makes for good leadership skills but has led to less gymnastics during the off-season.

“They will have some catch up to do, but we will deal with it,” said Lewis. “We will start the season a little slower this year with all the freshman, but the seniors have a ‘do more’ attitude, and I hope that spreads to the rest of the team.”

The biggest element for the Islanders will be the incoming freshmen, who could add a big boost to the scoreboard. The influx of youth to the team will bring the Islanders an element they have lacked in their history — depth.

Leading the way for the incoming class is Vanessa Gafney, who will compete in all-around.

“I think I can hold my own and contribute a lot to the varsity team in the next four years,” said Gafney, who started gymnastics at age 3. “I was a little nervous the first day. I didn’t expect the other girls to have as much experience, but the varsity girls are really good. A lot of my peers expect me to be able to know a lot and do really well. We will see.”

Gafney could be the team’s No. 3 in all-around, but this will be a new experience for the freshman.

“This is a really fun team, and I can’t wait to compete in front of the school, although I am nervous for that,” said Gafney.

One Islander who looking to have a break-out season is junior Erica Reutimann.

“She improved last year, but she will improve even more this year with Vanessa pushing her,” said Lewis. “But with that push she will get better faster.”

Reutimann gave Mercer Island some important points last year and will help to fill some crucial gaps on the scoreboard, along with seniors Tracey Tomlinson and Britteny Horn and junior Kendra Johnson.

Long-time assistant coach Jenny Nakamura is no longer with the team, making way for 1990 Mercer Island High School graduate Jackie Malony.

Lewis sees enough improvement in his team this preseason, along with an opportunity within the league to make it to districts.

“When, we get to districts, we have to worry about Bainbridge,” said Lewis. “We will have a slow start this year but it is how you finish that matters.”