Carmel sophomore Anna Osowski is an injured gymnast, but this season, she’s learning quite a bit about gymnastics.
In early November, Osowski felt a sharp pain in her back after a practice session. The pain wasn’t new. Over the summer, she’d received physical therapy for a sore back. This time, an examination revealed a stress fracture.
“It happened over time. Repetitive things you do in gymnastics to your back,” said Osowski, who qualified for last year’s state meet in the uneven bars, floor exercise and all-around.
The prescribed care was rest and therapy. No gymnastics. The circumstance forced Osowski to pivot from competitor to coach.
Carmel is a young team. There is one upperclassman (junior Antonia Durnil) out of eight varsity gymnasts. The sidelined Osowski saw an opportunity.
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“Since we have so many young people in the team, we had some small struggles,” she said. “Sometimes when your coaches tell you something, it’s not the same as when a teammate tells you.”
In practice, Osowski and injured sophomore Samantha Wahlers are in regular communication with teammates. What they say might be technical, critiquing a routine’s form, or it might be motivational.
On Saturday, Carmel participated in the Al Galatte Invitational at Rolling Meadows. Durnil was competing in the uneven bars. Osowski made a point of conversing with her teammate.
“I told her, ‘You’re a junior. You have a year on all of us. You have to show everyone you’re strong in this event. You can get through this routine,’ ” Osowski said.
Durnil placed 10th, the highest place of any Carmel gymnast (Carmel finished seventh out of 17 teams). She said having Osowski and Wahlers in a coaching role is a positive for team chemistry.
“It’s unfortunate for them. We know they want to be out there. But they’ve put all that struggle aside and they’ve been there in practice supporting and pushing us hard,” Durnil said. “When they recover, they want to come back to a strong team. It means a lot for them to be there. It’s really kind of special.”
Carmel, a five-time state champion, has no star gymnasts this season. Sophomores Madison Graff, Alyssa Legareta, Samantha Lococo and Colleen Kadowaki are talented, but unproven. Coach Nicky Stroup said practices are extremely competitive as gymnasts vie for event spots for every dual meet and invitational.
“It has changed the dynamic, but it’s a positive thing. It gives us more depth and points,” she said. “They understand this is a team sport and decisions have to be made for the best of the team. There is a role to be played. I think it’s kind of taken the pressure off.”
Wahlers (sprained ankle) is expected back soon, while Osowski’s return is uncertain. Although Osowski may not be seen on the uneven bars or working on a new floor routine, her presence will continue at Carmel practices and meets.
She’s not going anywhere.
“We are a close-knit team. Most of us are in the same year. We can talk truthfully to each other,” Osowski said. “The girls are ready for this season. They believe in themselves.”