Photo credit: Allie McIntyre

Specializing in floor and beam, sophomore Emily Bania might be new to the team, but she is not new to gymnastics.  After taking a year off the sport, many new players are returning to Grosse Pointe North and South’s combined team, Grosse Pointe United Gymnastics.  

Bania’s interest in gymnastics began in first grade and lasted through eighth grade. After years of competing on a high-level team, Bania decided to take a break from the time-consuming sport. However, this year, Bania was invited to join GPUG and decided to take the opportunity.

 “It’s the only sport that I’m good at and I missed it,” Bania said. “I actually enjoy going to the sport.” 

The return to gymnastics has not only excited Bania, but her mother Kelly Bania has noticed an emerging confidence in Bania since she has returned to the team. According to her mother, Bania’s family is supportive of her participation this year on GPUG.

“It gave her a lot of confidence,” Kelly Bania said. “Her sister and brother and dad were all happy to have her go back and do it again, for a season.”

Witnessing the return of Bania to GPUG is Head Coach Izzy Nyguen, who is not shocked by gymnasts coming back to the sport. Nyguen has been coaching GPUG for seven years. According to Nguyen, the team always tries to send out recruitment letters to potential gymnasts. 

“Getting three new gymnasts out of retirement this year isn’t something surprising for us, but we are always excited to have girls come back into gymnastics,” Nyguen said.

Another student coming out of her gymnastics retirement this year is freshman, Catie Kaslatas, who is dominant in the floor exercise and vault. Being a gymnast for about nine years now, Kaslatas saw the same opportunity Bania did in joining GPUG, and returned to the team after a brief hiatus from club gymnastics. Kaslatas has enjoyed her experience on GPUG so far, including the team attributes, such as making friends and enjoying her time.

“My favorite parts are making friends with my teammates and having fun doing something that I love,” Kaslatas said.

While Bania and Kastalas both have taken a break from the sport, they both have already made an effort to rebuild their skills, according to Nyguen.  Nyguen states that both Kastalas and Bania have shown perseverance since the beginning. 

“I know that Catie and Emily will contribute to the team because they didn’t give up when the season started,” said Nyguen. “They’ve been trying their best to get all their skills back and have worked really hard ever since the beginning.”