POULSBO — Tori Gerken’s plan to use her junior year on the Kingston High School varsity gymnastics team as a trial run to State was demolished before the 2010-11 season began.
What was originally thought to be pain from tight calf muscles turned out to be a broken foot last season. A foot on which she played soccer for six months. She was sent to an orthopedic surgeon on the recommendations of KHS athletic medicine director Marja Larson and later had surgery.
“With my foot … it just crushed me,” she said.
Before surgery was done on her left foot, Gerken managed to earn the highest score on bars she ever had; landing on one foot during the first meet of the 2010-11 season. After surgery, she did not compete for the rest of the season.
Now with two screws, a plate and bone graft in her left foot, the senior is back for her final shot at State in gymnastics.
“It’s going to be challenging,” she said. “Especially because my foot isn’t 100 percent.”
However, Gerken said taking one year off made her more comfortable on the floor than she was in her freshman or sophomore years. This hesitation on the floor included landing on her neck during a floor routine her sophomore year. She said she no longer has that hesitation which grew in her mind.
Gerken and the Kingston gymnastics team begin its season Saturday. The team travels to Port Angeles for a 2:30 p.m. meet.
Among the gymnasts on the team are Megan Kelly and Megan Keller, who competed in the 2A State Championships last season. Kelly competed in vault. Keller competed in bars.
This season, Kelly said she would like to compete in everything at State. If she doesn’t get the opportunity to compete on the floor, she will not be heartbroken; she was injured in 2009 while tumbling. Kelly will work on her dismounts and back tucks.
Keller was unavailable for interview.
Last season, the Kingston team had about 11 gymnasts. The team now has 21.
Coach Sheila Moore said the team is ready for the meet against Port Angeles. A few routines on floor and the beam could use some work, she said Monday. However, the top six or seven gymnasts are ready and since the top five scores are used, returning with a win is a possibility.
“I’m sure our team can go to State,” Kelly said. “We just need to practice really, really hard and I’m sure we can make it.”
