2012-13 Winter Preview: Upstart program yields varsity benefits for Woodbury gymnastics team

The Woodbury gymnastics program is seeing the benefits of a youth program head coach Julie Dornseif started five years ago.

Dornseif started a branch of the Minnesota Amateur Gymnastics Association three years ago, and the results are starting to pay off for her varsity squad.

With one senior returning to the varsity team, the young Woodbury Royals are still experienced with a core group of underclassmen, including Dornseif’s daughter, seventh grader Allsion Trebesch.

Dornseif said it is encouraging to see some of the athletes that began in the MAGA group before they were old enough for varsity are now able to contribute at the varsity level. Proof, she said, that the MAGA program yields results.

The season hit a bumpy start before it began, as senior Jordan Rodriguez was injured before the season began and is expected to miss the entire year.

“Rodriguez was injured a couple of weeks ago and is out for the entire season and having knee surgery, so that is a huge blow to our team,” Dornseif said. “We counted on her for scores so (we) will take a big hit, so these young kids will have to step up to the plate.”

The six varsity members include senior co-captain Maddy Haut, junior Rose Peterson, sophomores MacKenzie Beck and Tessa Halada, freshman Maddie Pearson and Trebesch. All of the girls are all-around competitors, meaning they will compete in each event of a gymnastics meet.

“We have a young team, but we are making progress and hope to have a successful season,” Dornsief said. “We have some young talented gymnasts who will be an asset to our team. Our junior varsity team looks strong as well. If we can stay injury free for the season, we will be in good shape.”

The Royals begin their season on Friday, Nov. 30, at Mounds View starting at 6:30 p.m.

Tags: 2012-13 winter preview, sports, gymnastics, woodbury, royals, prep, updates