Trenton Willnecker
Published: October 12, 2005
The PJC Gymnastics Program is back on its feet after almost a year long hiatus because of Hurricane Ivan.
Last September when the storm hit PJC, the gymnasium on Pensacola campus was hit just as hard as the gymnastics program that was housed inside.
“$120,000 of equipment was damaged due to the storm and most of it was rain and mold damage,” gymnastics director John Evans said. “The main source of the damage was the roof that came completely off.”
The storm resulted in the loss of the roof, several beams, and gymnastics mat needed to do certain performances and all of their landing mats for safety.
The program is finally back on its feet, according to Evans.
“Everything is going great,” Evans said. “We have all new equipment. Every single piece of gymnastics equipment is brand new.
“We replaced beams, all the landing mats, we have a gymnastics training floor which is a big chunk (of the floor space), vault tables – everything you can think of has been completely replaced.”
Even though the program was gone for almost a year more than half the students have returned, Evans said.
Classes are accepting age groups ranging from 18 years old to as early as 18 months. Older age groups are taught more challenging tricks.
“Students will learn everything from a front roll to a round-off handspring back tuck,” assistant director Katie Skaggs said. “On beams we work back rolls, front rolls, cartwheels, handstands and dismounts as well.”
“I am glad that it is up and running again. The program and the coaches are great,” said competitive gymnast Kayla Preifer. “The program has kept me out of trouble in school and the coaches really look out for you.”