NEW PALESTINE — It wasn’t too long ago that New Palestine gymnastics coach Taylor Brown was the one getting the instructions instead of giving them.
The Dragons first-year coach is a 2018 NPHS grad and four-year member of the New Palestine gymnastics team.
She competed for former head coach Deb Bruns, who is sticking around to be an assistant for her former pupil.
“I am a little nervous, but very excited,” Brown said of being the Dragons head coach.
Though not with the program last year, Brown had been a volunteer assistant coach for Bruns since she graduated six years ago.
She welcomes having the veteran coach alongside to help guide her during this season of transition.
“It’s awesome (to have coach Bruns here), Brown said. “I know if I have any questions she’s right there to help me. We’ve already built that relationship when she was my coach. She was my basketball cheer coach when I was cheering at New Pal also.”
The team is smaller than it has been in recent years. They will be without standout J.J. Fee, a junior and two-time Hancock County Gymnast of the Year. She is not competing after having battled a number of injuries over the last few seasons.
Though small, the roster doesn’t lack talent. Five of the six on the team were part of last year’s state finalist group, the Dragons first since 2017.
Sophomore Lynzie Stiller was the Connersville Sectional all-around champion and was 27th at state. She was 18th at the state meet in the floor exercise.
Sophomores Reagan Seal and Olivia Frank were top competitors a year ago along with junior Chiara Polo and senior Rebecca Johnson. Junior Kyndra Monteith is the lone newcomer to the squad.
“I think everybody has potential to be one of those top girls,” Brown said. “You always want to make it to state and place and do as best as possible. As long as we can keep everybody healthy I think we will have a great season again.”
The first meet of the season is Jan. 9 at Connersville. The first home contest is Jan. 18 against Columbus North.
The team will have home meets at The Gymnastics Company in Wanamaker.
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2024 New Palestine Gymnastics Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
Jan. 9;at Connersville;6:30 p.m.
Jan. 11;at Shelbyville, Waldron, Lutheran;6 p.m.
Jan. 13;at Franklin Central Invite;11 a.m.
Jan. 16;at Westfield;6 p.m.
Jan. 18;vs. Columbus North;6:30 p.m.
Jan. 20;vs. Richmond;11 a.m.
Jan. 25;vs. Roncalli;6 p.m.
Jan. 30;at Noblesville;6 p.m.
Feb. 3;at Rushville Invitational;12 p.m.
Feb. 7;at Franklin Central (5 teams);6:30 p.m.
Feb. 10;at Bloomington North Invitational;10 a.m.
Feb. 15;at Morristown;6 p.m.
Feb. 20;vs. Shelbyville;6 p.m.
