The 2021 City Meet gave the Permian and Odessa High gymnastics teams a chance to gauge how their athletes would look in a pressure setting.
Permian was able to get strong all-around performances from multiple returning gymnasts to take home the boys and girls team titles Thursday at the Odessa High gymnastics gym.
Sincere Galindo, Quatre Haskins, Joseph Kilgore and Wesley Brown placed in four of the top five spots in the boys all-around to get the Permian boys season started in the right direction.
Permian boys coach Chris Soto said it has been fun watching this year’s group put everything together because of the experience he has returning.
“We went through a lot of rough things last year when it came to the team score and that put us behind not making the state championships,” Soto said. “Putting together a team this year, it’s been a long time coming.
“They’re having to start something new and I’m just looking forward to seeing them progress.”
Galindo was Permian’s top performer in the City Meet, leading the squad to a 141.40 team score.
Odessa High boys coach Trey Enriquez also feels like his team is starting fresh, with everyone entering what he called a development phase.
His focus early in the season has been teaching his gymnasts how to perform their skills cleanly under pressure.
Jabezz Chavez had a strong showing for the Bronchos, taking first in the boys all-around with a 52.70 score.
The Odessa High boys had five gymnasts compete and finished the meet with a 104.40.
Although Chavez is one of the group’s more experienced competitors, Enriquez said the senior is also learning how to lead himself and others.
This is Chavez’ first time competing in the all-around since his sophomore year after missing half of last season with a dislocated elbow.
“He’s on the stage performing under pressure, getting himself out there and getting onto his feet,” Enriquez said. “At the same time, I tell him, ‘Lead your team.’
“It’s a development stage for him, too, as a leader.”
Enriquez wants his group to take in the lessons it learns early this season and look back on them when at the most important meets.
The Permian girls team got top performances from some of its veterans to win the team title with 106.65 points.
Isabella Fanucci and Sydney Vaughn finished first and second, respectively, in the all-around, helping head coach Casey Werner feel confident about what the group can do this year.
“The motivation the girls have now, I think is because of those two leaders,” Werner said. “They do a great job motivating them, pushing them and getting them ready for the season.”
Werner feels like the win to start the season can show her gymnasts that they can only go forward and build up by making consistent improvements.
Like the Odessa High boys, the Lady Bronchos are going into 2021 with a young core.
Victoria Alvarez has taken the reins as a leader and it showed in her performance as she placed third in the all-around.
Odessa High girls coach Tony Gonzalez said the group has work to do to get its routines down, but he has seen good progress in his team’s first two meets.
He called the City Meet an eye opener for the Lady Bronchos and feels they’ll gain valuable experience competing against other teams down the line.
“The more they get out there and the more experience they get, the more at ease they are the next week,” Gonzalez said.
Permian and Odessa High will compete at the Key City Invitational on Dec. 10 in Abilene.
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