2010-11 WInter Preview: New gymnastics coach rebuilding Royals in 2010-11

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A new coach and just 12 gymnasts coming out for the Royals in the 2010-2011 season makes for quite the rebuilding effort. But nevertheless, Julie Dornseif is excited to be a part of the program and a group of competitors she said have plenty of potential to improve throughout the season.

“We've got a lot of young kids, and some smaller numbers, but I just am looking forward to see the smiles on their faces as they work on and improve those new skills,” said Dornseif, who has been coaching in the south Washington County community since 1989. “I just love to see their faces light up when they learn something new and do it well.”

A Park gymnast alumn, Dornseif was named interim coach for the Royals gymnastics program earlier this month after the departure of former coach Harvey Hammick.

A team with only two seniors, Vanessa Gubbels and Jenny Kilgore and near and dear to Dornseif's heart. She coached both girls at the club level when they were younger. Gubbels qualified for the Class AA state meet on the vault last year. She was Woodbury's lone representative at state.

Kilgore will be returning to the team after an injury cut her season short last year, but Dornseif said she expects the senior to shine in the vault, beam and floor exercise.

Tags: 2010 winter preview, sports, gymnastics, royals, woodbury