ESCANABA — The Escanaba gymnasts are raring to go as another season approaches.

Esky, which has nine on its roster, opens at downstate White Lake Lakeland today at 4.

“That’s a good number to work with,” said coach Theresa Pascoe. “Although, we would like to have a few more girls come out to give us a little more cushion.”

The Eskymos are led by seniors Lizzy Sliva and Caitlyn Davenport in all-around.

“They’re our senior leaders,” said Pascoe. “Lizzy is very motivated and wants to do well. She will be among our top three, and we expect Caitlyn to be among our top gymnasts. This is Caitlyn’s fourth year, and she’s looking real good in vault. She’s very strong and confident.”

Among the sophomores entered in all-around is Sophia Wagner.

“Sophie (Sophia) is coming to us from USA Gymnastics,” said Pascoe. “She decided to do high school gymnastics for the first time and will be among our top three. Her mom owns Flips Gymnastics in Gladstone, and she did gymnastics at Triple A (in Escanaba) a while back. She’s loaded with talent and has the best handspring on beam. We’ve probably had a handful who did that in my 37 years of coaching. She’s going to be good.”

Other sophomores in all-around are Bridget Bichler, Riley Martin and Alliyah Mylander.

“Riley added two uprises to her (balance) beam routine,” said Pascoe. “We feel she is also going to be among our top three. We’re hoping her scores will reflect that this season. She has been doing a front full on floor (exercise), but you won’t see it in the U.P. You need a spring floor to achieve that skill level. We don’t have that up here.

“Bridget was pretty well balanced in all four events last year and will be in all-around this year. Alliyah won’t be competing Saturday, but she’ll be in all-around in our next meet (Dec. 7 at Negaunee).”

Esky has a third senior in Haley Garcia, who’s recovering from illness, on floor and beam.

“Haley specializes on beam and floor,” said Pascoe. “If she hits her routines, she has a good chance to qualify for regionals.”

Pascoe says the Eskymos also have two promising freshmen. They are Sophie Lehto (all-around), also the team manager for jayvee basketball, and Diamond Jackson (floor and vault).

“Sophie was a Triple A gymnast years ago, then she left gymnastics to be a basketball player,” said Pascoe. “She likes to be a leader and is doing a great job. Sophie has a desire to be good. She’s a very strong tumbler on floor. She’s working on her Arabia on floor and does a half-turn into her front tuck. She has a decent vault and likes to do skills other people don’t do.”

Jackson, a dual-sport athlete, will compete in floor and vault.

“Gymnastics is Diamond’s first sport, and competitive cheer is her second sport,” said Pascoe. “We’re experimenting with it to see how it’s going to work out. She’s having some ankle issues right now. She has some talent and we don’t want to lose her, but we can’t have her coming to practice injured.”

The Eskymos make their home debut Dec. 11 when they host the Elks Invitational.

“The girls on this team are equally talented,” said Pascoe. “We have a little cushion. We’re going to have seven in all-around, which is the first time I’ve had that. We’re going to be very competitive. It will be interesting to see who’s going to be among the top four this season.”

Gymnastics continues to be a self-funded sport at Esky. Donations by check can be sent to Escanaba High School, 500 South Lincoln Road, Escanaba, MI 49829.

“The team will continue to hold fundraisers throughout the season. Checks should be earmarked to ‘EHS Gymnastics.'”

Nov. 20 — at White Lake Lakeland

Dec. 7 — at Negaunee; Dec. 11 — Escanaba Elks Invitational; Dec. 15 — Marquette; Dec. 18 — Walled Lake Western Invitational.

Jan. 5 — Marquette Invitational; Jan. 22 — Valders, Wis. Invitational; Jan. 29 — Antigo, Wis. Invitational.

Feb. 2 — Negaunee; Feb. 11 — at Grand Ledge; Feb. 12 — Coldwater Invitational; Feb. 17 — at Vassar; Feb. 19 — Vassar Invitational; Feb. 24 — GNC meet.

March 5 — Regional meet at Rockford or Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills; Mar. 11-12 — State meet at White Lake Lakeland.