“Our vision, one vision."

That is the theme Southeast Missouri State’s gymnastics team coach Kristi Ewasko said as the group has officially started training for the upcoming season.

“It basically means that we have a vision as a team, not what this person wants to accomplish or what this other person wants to accomplish,” Ewasko said. “Our vision is one vision, and that’s to get to regionals as a team. I can really see the drive for them to do that.”

Though training has only just begun, Ewasko thinks the team is looking good early on.

“Right now, we’re focusing on the drills, the technique, getting the fitness level to where they can maintain through preseason as well as season,” Ewasko said. “We’ll have our true test at the end of the month. I’m pleased right now with where we’re at.”

Senior Ashley Thomas, who was named First-Team All-Midwest Independent Conference in vault and Second-Team All-MIC in floor exercise and in the all-around last year, also has taken note with how good the team is performing early in training.

“I think that we’re looking good. There are places that we obviously need to improve, but for now everyone’s working hard and giving it their best,” Thomas said.

This year, there are six freshmen who have joined the team.

“They are all shining on their different events,” Ewasko said.

Thomas has observed positive signs from the incoming underclassmen.

“They came in on fire, excited to be a part of the team,” said Thomas. “Some of them have had a little bit of injury, but they’re definitely energetic and very useful to our team.”

Ewasko believes the upperclassmen will be the backbone of the team this year.

“There’s only five upperclassmen, but I think they’re going to really be a stronghold for this team with their experience,” Ewasko said. “We’ve continued to work on our skills and our combinations and bonuses. I really look for them to be those solid leaders for this team.”

Sophomore McKinzie Jones qualified for regionals last year as a freshman and has stood out so far to Ewasko.

“She’s working on a new vault, she’s improved her other events,” Ewasko said. “I really look for her to be a stronghold as well in multiple events.”

This year’s team is smaller in comparison to teams from the past.

“We don’t have a lot of depth,” Ewasko said.

To help compensate for that lack of depth, the plan for this year’s team is to keep its members healthy throughout the year.

“The way we’re managing that and preparing for that is making sure we’re keeping them healthy,” Ewasko said. “We’re educating them on taking care of themselves. We’re really trying to minimize the injuries and the demand on the body, so that way we can have a really strong season.”

If everyone can stay healthy this year, Ewasko expects a team that can perform well in each competition.

“They all have the skills necessary to compete and compete really well. It’s just making sure we stay as healthy as we can throughout the entire year,” Ewasko said.

Team chemistry is expected to be a strength for this year’s team.

“This team has really started to bond and mold and grow together, whereas in years past we’ve kind of missed a link somewhere here or there,” Ewasko said. “This year, this early on, the team has already started to bond and really help each other, encourage each other, cheer each other on and be with each other outside the gym. I think that speaks volumes as to where we can go as one.”

While one of the team’s expectations is to win conference, the other is to make sure the team members stay supportive of each other and encourage each other when they have the chance.

“If we can stay supportive of each other and back each other up in and out of the gym - that’s really what’s gonna carry us through our season and get us to the conference championship,” Thomas said. “Our energy and our support of each other throughout the team, through the whole season.”