Mike Mattson | Daily Press Members of the Escanaba gymnastics team are front row from left: Assistant coach Jayna Ray, Sarah Peippo, Nina Kregelka, Emma Quaghebeur, Ellie Pepin and coach Lyndsey Rogers. Back row from left: Mckenna Thibeault, Madison Block, Morgan Heidt and Meghan Martin.

ESCANABA — The Escanaba gymnastics program is back after a year off and it has a new coach to lead it into its new campaign.

Lyndsey Rogers will take over the program from Theresa Pascoe and Karen Flynn and is eager to get the season underway.

“I’m really excited to get the program running again,” said Rogers. “When Theresa Pascoe said she wasn’t going to do it anymore with the high schoolers I wanted to make sure I kept it going because now we have a lot of these younger kids participating in gymnastics and I wanted to make sure they had something to participate in when they got to high school.”

The non-profit club sport was halted last season due to a shortage of income to cover expenses. The previous three seasons gymnastics at EHS was supported through donations and fund-raising. Gymnastics had been a sponsored varsity program at EHS for its first 41 years.

Rogers has some high hopes for her team and believes it’s going to be a great season.

“I think it’s going to go well,” said Rogers. “We have eight girls that are very enthusiastic. I have some cheerleaders who are very skilled and they’re coming over to our side of things so that’s exciting to see new faces.”

One of the girls expected to stand out this year is sophomore Madison Block and Rogers expects big things from her to lead the team.

“Madison has a great attitude and is very skilled in her tumbling,” said Rogers. “I would say that I’m looking at her to be a leader definitely.”

Other members include sophomores Ellie Pepin, Nina Kregelka and Emma Quaghebeur, juniors Mckenna Thibeault, Sarah Peippo and Meghan Martin and senior Morgan Heidt.

“I think we’re going to excel on the floor,” said Rogers. “Especially with the cheerleaders and the older advanced girls are skilled with their tumbling. So I think we’ll be able to compete pretty well.”

The Eskymos have six meets scheduled starting with the Marquette invite Jan. 5. Rogers said she is most looking forward to the PEAK Invite at Marquette Feb. 17.

“PEAK’s Gymnastics is holding an invitation,” said Rogers. “And we’re always excited to go to that private, well established gym instead of a high school. It’s always exciting with all the equipment that they have.”

The team has multiple fund-raisers planned for the school year. Businesses and individuals interested in supporting the team with donations should call Karen Flynn (906-786-0882).

The schedule:

Jan. 5 — at Marquette

Jan. 13 — Esky Invite

Jan. 20 — at Valders

Feb. 3 — at Lake Linden-Hubbell

Feb. 17 — PEAK Invite at Marquette

Feb. 19 — at Negaunee (GNC meet)