Blugolds to host gymnastics finals
2011 national championships come to Eau Claire
Janelle Gergen
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Sports
Sophomore Kerri Ritsche's senior year is going to be one of the most exciting of her career, at least as far as gymnastics goes. The UW-Eau Claire gymnastics team has been granted the opportunity to host the 2011 National Championships, and the entire team is eager to participate, coach Jean Delisle said.
"Whenever you can bring a big meet like that to your campus, that's definitely something fun to be part of," she said, adding that this year's juniors and seniors were disappointed they would not be able to participate.
Ritsche didn't know how to react when she heard they would be hosting the championship before she
graduated. She's been involved in gymnastics from a very young age, and being able to compete in the National Championships will be a wonderful opportunity.
"I'm extremely excited … it's going to be a really big event," she said.
The team is an automatic qualifier, which means it is guaranteed a chance to compete.
"I think it's just going to be great for everyone … to get to compete at that level," Ritsche said, adding the experience will be good for the team.
Delisle agreed. She has coached at Eau Claire for six years, and prior to that, she coached at UW-River Falls, where she was also able to host a National Championship. She's familiar with the process, and she knows it will require a lot of effort. They will need two sets of equipment, a banquet, and to find sponsors for the event.
"It's a lot of work ... (but) it's also a great experience for the team," she said. "With the renovations that McPhee has had this last year I just think it's a good time to showcase what we have."
The biggest challenge for her is going to be finding sponsorship to help offset the cost of hosting.
"I want to make sure … we break even or make some money," she said, "and I think we can … if we get out there and get the sponsorship and advertise it correctly."
Ritsche knows it's going to be a big job, but she also knows that they can do it. "… We usually have pretty good support from parents, coaches and community," she said. "I think we're capable of doing it; I don't think it's going to be really too hard."
"Whenever you can bring a big meet like that to your campus, that's definitely something fun to be part of," she said, adding that this year's juniors and seniors were disappointed they would not be able to participate.
Ritsche didn't know how to react when she heard they would be hosting the championship before she
graduated. She's been involved in gymnastics from a very young age, and being able to compete in the National Championships will be a wonderful opportunity.
"I'm extremely excited … it's going to be a really big event," she said.
The team is an automatic qualifier, which means it is guaranteed a chance to compete.
"I think it's just going to be great for everyone … to get to compete at that level," Ritsche said, adding the experience will be good for the team.
Delisle agreed. She has coached at Eau Claire for six years, and prior to that, she coached at UW-River Falls, where she was also able to host a National Championship. She's familiar with the process, and she knows it will require a lot of effort. They will need two sets of equipment, a banquet, and to find sponsors for the event.
"It's a lot of work ... (but) it's also a great experience for the team," she said. "With the renovations that McPhee has had this last year I just think it's a good time to showcase what we have."
The biggest challenge for her is going to be finding sponsorship to help offset the cost of hosting.
"I want to make sure … we break even or make some money," she said, "and I think we can … if we get out there and get the sponsorship and advertise it correctly."
Ritsche knows it's going to be a big job, but she also knows that they can do it. "… We usually have pretty good support from parents, coaches and community," she said. "I think we're capable of doing it; I don't think it's going to be really too hard."
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