Viking recently hosted a Team Open Gym to celebrate the start of the 2021-2022 competitive season! Members of our USAG Boys Team, USAG Girls Team, and GIJO Girls Team participated in team building activities, a scavenger hunt, were inspired by a guest speaker, and had an all around good time with their fellow teammates. The gymnasts were especially excited because it was their first Open Gym since March 2020.

The evening began with a motivational speech by Adrian Batista, the head coach of the mens’ gymnastics team at Niles West High School. One of the main topics Adrian focused on was how to be your best you, and why being your best you and not comparing yourself to others is important.

Next, it was time for a scavenger hunt! Athletes worked together in small groups that included a mix of members from all three of Viking’s competitive gymnastics teams to track down answers to gymnastics questions that were provided throughout the gym. Seeing the kids work together to make sure that they were pairing their questions and answers together correctly was very fun to watch!

During the event, each gymnast was asked to think about what accomplishment they were most proud of and write it down. We linked the papers together to create a chain that is now taped on the mirror on the north side of the gym with the phrase “You are only as strong as your weakest link-Viking Strong.” While we may be on different teams or competing at different levels, we are all one team: Viking!

After that, the gymnasts got to do what they do best… gymnastics! All the events were open and kids were free to move around the gym. Obstacles courses were made, girls taught some boys their floor and beam routines, favorite skills were practiced, and fun was had by all. The night ended with a team favorite – a Handstand Contest followed by a recap of the importance of working as a team and the awarding of some Open Gym passes.

All in all, a great evening! Click here to see more pictures!