Felines Finish Last, Look Forward To Next Year

Stuyvesant’s girls’ varsity gymnastics team, the Felines, finished last in the city finals on Thursday, February 8. However, they had a steady regular season. Despite a number of losses to their rival, the Bronx High School of Science, they recorded 13 total wins and maintained their fourth place standing in the Manhattan/Bronx A division. More notable than their success at meets were the mentality, self-improvement, and tight-knitted camaraderie the Felines finished their season with.

This year, the team was led by three captains: seniors Anna Pacheco and Anne Lee and junior Lee-Ann Rushlow. In his 10th season with the Felines, Coach Vasken Choubaralian thinks his unique captains this year stood out. “While Anne is usually quiet, Anna adds character and a laugh,” he said, smiling. Rushlow was added as a third captain for this year’s larger team via vote. “She is one of our most experienced gymnasts, scores the highest, and really helps the other girls with their skills,” Choubaralian said.

During practices, travel, and outside of school, Choubaralian has seen his team develop good chemistry. The Felines have reportedly done this in rather unique ways such as a team-bonding based practice early in the season, certain gymnasts’ common vegan diets, and team Secret Santa before the holidays. “There’s definitely a lot of high bonding and mixing, which is nice to see. They’ve really grown dependent on one another,” Choubaralian said. “The girls are always laughing and joking. It's a light environment that makes time coaching enjoyable, and hopefully keeps them coming back.”

With their space on the school’s third floor, the Felines have drilled tirelessly, practicing to develop new skills in preparation for meets. Fine-tuning their techniques and routines was key in reducing point deductions, especially leading up to the finals. In competition, Choubaralian has put his best, experienced gymnasts forward, but he has equally enjoyed witnessing the development of the newer gymnasts. “It’s always memorable seeing a new member go out to compete then do well and enjoy the experience,” he said. “Firsts are always [the] most exciting.”

As a coach, Choubaralian’s ultimate goal is not to create the best athletes, but to improve and build character. In addition to spotting skills and developing drills, he has emphasized the most useful and long-lasting traits. These include commitment, respect, sportsmanship, and the ability to face and overcome failure. Pacheco has visibly never been afraid to try new skills. Her willingness to attempt skills such as the switch leap and the front tuck and dismount paid off when she used those skills during individuals. Pacheco ended up scoring highest on the balance beam and thus qualified for the state team. This has set a solid example for the younger gymnasts, who often struggle to overcome their fears and step up to try new skills.

A fun, entertaining area has been the floor gymnasts’ unique choice of dance music. Gymnasts build their routine based off a song of choice, choreographing their performance with the mood and tempo of the song to fulfill set requirements in competition. When Lee chose “You’re Welcome” by Dwayne Johnson from the Disney cartoon “Moana” (2016), her teammates and coach were duly surprised and impressed. Similarly, Pacheco unconventionally built her routine off a hip hop piece: Eminem’s “Without Me.”

Despite coming in last during the finals, the Felines have a lot to be proud of this year. The Felines bonded closely together and shared in every aspect of competition, adversity, and the constant strive to elevate themselves. Every gymnast, both new and experienced, developed in new areas and elevated her skills in some form or another. In the finals, the team compiled their highest overall score yet, 106.25. This is certainly an accomplishment to be proud of, as it is a tribute to the team’s growth and development. Setting aside wins and losses, it is a team’s dynamic and identity that truly define it, and the Felines have certainly formed a joyful, tough personality.