Rebel Girls Gymnastics Team Starts, Season Leaping High

By Carolyn Schultz

After tying for first place in its conference last year, the Rebel girls gymnastics team is well prepared to commence a new season. The dynamic husband-and-wife duo, John and Debbie Emmerich, will once again be coaching the team. They and the team's captain, senior Karen Siegel, are confident and optimistic that another successful season lies ahead.

"We have a good chance of winning the conference again this year," said Siegel, who sees that all the girls are "working real hard," and they "know their competition."

The team's goal, said John Emmerich, is "to be competitive in every meet. We have a good, solid core of gymnasts."

The Rebels will remain in Conference II this year instead of moving up to Conference I like the Baldwin and Garden City teams, who tied with the Rebels for first place in Conference II last year, because of a new Nassau County system called "power rating." Since a total of six Rebel gymnasts from last year's team, three of whom graduated, will not be returning, it was decided that the Rebels should stay in Conference II for this season.

More than half of this year's team consists of freshmen who are still learning about high school gymnastics competition. Freshmen Sarah Cardell, Michelle Serpas and Julissa Valenas were on the middle school team.

According to Debbie Emmerich, there is a huge difference between middle school gymnastics, and the individual championships of high school gymnastics, which give one a substantial "taste of the sport."

Debbie Emmerich noted that the five gymnasts who are returning -- senior Karen Siegel (the captain), junior Jen Aloi, and sophomores Tracy Gertler, Patti Hong and Beth Wecksell -- are "very strong and knowledgeable about the sport. They are teaching the new kids very well and are very helpful to the coaches."

Long and frequent practices prove to be worthwhile to the team. John Emmerich commented, "The girls get out of practice as much as they put into it. If they come to all practices, it shows how dedicated they are." Although the new members of the team have less experience, he "wouldn't be surprised if the team does as well as last year."

At this early stage in the season, the focus has been on practice, not numerical scores. A judge came to the school for a developmental meet on Dec. 6. This developmental meet was unique in that the Rebels were the only team present in the gym, and the judge's evaluations were used only for practice.

According to John Emmerich, the purpose of this developmental meet was so that "the girls compete for themselves with a judge (present). It's a good way for us, as coaches, to get a look at the girls from a judge's point of view."

Siegel was "very proud of how the team did (at the developmental meet). We will be very well prepared for our first meet. This meet was designed for the team to improve for themselves, not for spectators to watch. Now we know exactly what we need to work on."

John Emmerich said that "many started new routines, which they haven't yet had much time to work on."

Debbie Emmerich was pleased. "We are way ahead of the game."

Another practice meet was held in Mineola on Dec. 18. This time, the Rebels were able to practice competing against another team, using the judge's scores to improve their routines.

The Rebels' first real meets are scheduled for Jan. 7 at home against Manhasset, Jan. 10 at Cold Spring Harbor, Jan. 12 at home against Hewlett and Lawrence, and Jan. 14 at home against Mineola.