Tayten Swain, Olentangy Berlin gymnasts setting bar high for 2023-24 season
There is a buzz around the Olentangy Berlin gymnastics team, and not just because the Bears’ biggest rival for the 2024 state championship figures to be Brecksville-Broadview Heights’ Bees.
Berlin returns four of its five state competitors from a season ago, when it challenged for the title before Brecksville-Broadview Heights won its 20th consecutive championship. The Bees scored 148.825 points and the Bears finished second with 148.05.
The Bears are focused on capturing their first state championship.
“I love this time of year,” said coach Jen Hedrick, who has led Berlin since the school opened in 2018. “Last year is pretty much behind us. We don’t really talk much about it. We’re focused on what we have and where we’re headed.”
Leading the way should be sophomore Tayten Swain, who finished second in the state all-around (38.275) competition last season. She finished first on floor exercise (9.725), tied for second on vault (9.825), took third on uneven bars (9.425) and placed seventh on balance beam (9.3).
“I expect another big year from Tayten,” Hedrick said. “She’s a phenomenal gymnast with her artistry, dance, the choreography in her floor and beam routines and the high-level skills that she’s able to (perform).”
Other returning state competitors are senior Alexandra Downing and juniors Kalyn Davis and Tia Estrada. Downing and Estrada tied for 16th in the all-around (36.425).
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Lost to graduation was Stephanie Balthaser, who finished 13th in the all-around (36.825).
‘We’re looking to see who’s going to step up and fill Steph’s spot,” Hedrick said. “We have a couple freshmen or a couple of our returning gymnasts who can step up in some of the events to fill in the hole from Steph (graduating).”
Those potential replacements include seniors Kylie Hedrick, the coach’s daughter, and Danielle Heilman.
Heilman credits coach Hedrick for the program’s continued success.
“She makes it real fun,” Heilman said. “At practice, she starts with games to get us warmed up. That brings the energy and it takes a lot of the stress away from competing. We’re here to have fun and be teammates first before we’re competitors.”
Central Ohio programs looking to challenge Berlin this season include Dublin Jerome and Olentangy Orange. Berlin won the Central District title last season, with its score of 148.85 setting program and meet records.
Jerome, which finished ninth at state last season, should be led by junior returning state competitors Molly Hayes and Konyinsola Sofowora.
Orange has a new coach as Kaiden Sharrock has replaced Amanda Gaylor, who led the program for four seasons. The Pioneers feature seniors Gillian Beilstein and Jade Gerhard, both of whom competed at state last season.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Olentangy Berlin gymnasts setting bar high for 2023-24
