High school freshmen can be intimidated in their debut season, fearful of how they’ll handle the competition at the varsity level.
Chesterton’s Mia Pak is not one of those freshmen.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time,” Pak said. “I know how it feels to compete. And there’s a whole team standing behind me.”
Pak’s arrival this season has strengthened an already-loaded roster, making the Trojans one of the top teams in the state.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Chesterton coach Dawn Matthys said.
During Tuesday’s 113.775-112.3 win over defending state champion Valparaiso, Pak was the all-around winner with a score of 38.2. It was the highest score of her career and the fourth-highest score in the state this season.
Two of the other scores in that top five belong to her teammates: junior Jordan Bush (38.45, second) and sophomore Sophie Hunzelman (37.675, fifth).
But this isn’t the first time that Pak has competed with Hunzelman. The Chesterton duo are best friends, dating back to their days as toddlers in the earliest stages of their gymnastics careers.
“(Hunzelman) would move up a level, and I always wanted to be in the same level as her,” Pak said. “I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am and be at the same level that she is now.”
Both Matthys and Pak said the daily competition between the two is always friendly, yielding positive results at each practice.
“One of them will learn a skill, and then the other has to learn that skill,” Matthys said. “It’s back and forth. It’s a great duo to have that person who’s always there pushing themselves while pushing you at the same time.”
Hunzelman was the all-around state champion last season, and Pak has pegged that as her goal this season. Chesterton is ranked No. 1 in the most recent coaches’ poll and boasts the highest team score in the state this season with a 114.1, coming at the Chesterton Invitational.
The pursuit of a team state title, along with the potential for individual accolades, is one of the biggest changes Pak has noticed when transitioning from competing in club to high school.
“(The biggest difference is) how much the team supports you, in everything you do,” Pak said.
Pak’s coach, who also transitioned from club to high school gymnastics, saw a similar change.
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“The team aspect changes everything,” Matthys said. “She gets into a meet, and instead of the people watching her being the other gymnasts and her mom, every single girl on this team is with you through every single thing you do.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Top 3
With last week’s rankings in parentheses
1. Chesterton (1)
2. Valparaiso (2)
3. Crown Point (3)
Gymnast of the Week: Merrillville sophomore Abby Smith scored 36.05 in all-around during Saturday’s Pirate Pride Invitational. She placed second at the nine-team meet.