By: Lily Zhao <[email protected]>

Walking into Warren Central High School with her hopes high and teammates ready, Kirsten Yamasaki, gymnastic co-captains and sophomore, as the team has done in years past, said she wished for the best as the gymnastics team competed at another Sectional meet. But, this year, the meet was extra special. Although the women did not make it out of the Sectional meet, they performed their best because it was the last time with Head Coach Jerry Brickley at the helm.

“I feel that we did our absolute best and threw (every new trick in our routines as best as) we could and ended the season on a high note with our highest score of the season,” Yamasaki said. “We really pulled through for Jerry for his last meet.”

The gymnastics team competed on March 1 for its Sectional meet and finished seventh out of 13 schools, with a season-high score of 95.875. The three top finishers—Lawrence Central (105.375), Noblesville (101.225) and Franklin Central (101.150)—all moved on to the Regional meet.

At the Sectional meet, Brickley said that the girls threw in some new tricks in their routines, which helped greatly. He said that the atmosphere at Warren Central was nerve-wracking, but again, he said that all he wanted was for the team to perform at its best, which it did. Because the team did not qualify for the Regional meet, its season is officially over, thus ending Brickley’s coaching career as well. He said that he would still take his team to see the Regional meet because it can be a great learning experience for them, and at the same time, the team can cheer on their fellow gymnasts.

“Well, you always hope to move on, but we knew the odds were long and since the girls turned in such a great performance, I can’t really say that I’m disappointed (that we did not make it out of the meet),” Brickley said.

Having coached here for 18 years, Brickley said that having the Sectional meet as his very last and the fact that he is now officially retiring from coaching has not really hit him yet. However, he said, the hardest part for him will probably be at the team’s awards night, where he will be saying goodbye to the girls.

“I’m incredibly proud of what these girls have accomplished,” Brickley said. “(I’m also) a bit relieved and yet a little sad (that the season is now over).”

Now that the season is over, Yamasaki said that she is looking toward the off-season to heal and start preparing some new skills for next season. The biggest question entering next season surrounds the replacement of Brickley. Because of the fluctuations of the number of gymnasts, along with the departure of Brickley and his assistant coach, Michelle Hewitt, he said that he is not sure if the team will even be around next season. If the team does stay, Brickley said that he will then collaborate with Athletics Director Jim Inskeep and Assistant Athletics Director Bruce Wolf in hiring a new coach.

“(Although he is leaving) Jerry means so much to me as a coach and a person. I have learned so much from him…he is just the best person who has such good intentions,” Yamasaki said. “He is an excellent coach and I will miss him greatly next year.”