The two-time defending state champion girls gymnastics team is back in season. Three members of the champion team remain, and are joined by many new underclassmen.

“Since our team is so different from last year, we have to view this upcoming season as a blank slate and avoid comparing it to past seasons,” returning gymnast Kelsy Kurfirst ‘15 said. “It’s a new season and we’re a new team, so our goals and expectations must be unique to this year’s dynamics.”

The team competed at its first meet, the Hornet Invitational, at Hinsdale South on Nov. 26. The girls placed first with a 132.6.

“I think the first meet went pretty well, considering we have such a young, new team this year,” Kurfirst said. “Everyone was, understandably, a little nervous, and of course we made some mistakes, but I think overall it was a good learning experience because now we know exactly what we need to work on in order to improve for the next meet.”

Kurfirst finished first for vault, beam, floor and all-around, for which she scored a 37.45. Sonia Slusarczyk ‘18 placed fourth on bars with an 8.45, and Reagan Iffert ‘17 placed 10th with a 7.95. Iffert also finished 10th on beam with an 8.0. Julia Cozzi ‘18 also placed on beam, finishing fifth with a score of 8.3.

With more new gymnasts than returning ones, the outcome of the season is up in the air. The gymnasts are confident, though, that they will work well together to accomplish their goals and bond as a team.

“It’s impossible to tell how a season is going to go,” returning gymnast Kelly Ryser ‘15 said. “There are always surprises at every turn, especially in a sport like gymnastics. I know that the team will be as close as we are each year and we’ll really work well together.”

The third gymnast returning this season is Olivia McGann ‘15. It still hasn’t been decided whether or not she’ll compete this season, due to her recent surgery on her torn labrum.

Kurfirst, a three-time individual champion who placed third all around at state last year with a 37.60, hopes to qualify again this year for state both individually and as a team.

“Although it’s still early in the season, one of our goals is to qualify for state as a team,” Kurfirst said. “Individually, it’s always a goal of mine to qualify for state, but as long as I perform the best routines I’m capable of performing, I’m happy.”

The team’s next meet is tomorrow, for the Downers Grove North Invitational.