Gymnix Tour

A week after their first show, the Gymnix team left on their tour for the next four days. They had plans to head to three schools for performances. The team was eager to travel, perform, and connect with students, hoping to inspire them with their skills.

On the bus, team pastor Diego Reynoso led a getto-know-you game, where members switched seats every two minutes to answer prompts like, “What do you enjoy outside gymnastics?” “What are your dreams beyond gymnastics?” They also created skits against drugs and alcohol with their seatmates. Upon arriving at Southern Adventist University’s (SAU) gym, they unloaded luggage and claimed sleeping spots. Until midnight, most of the team practiced tumbling and tricks into the foam pit off the trampolines.

The following day, the team left SAU for their show at Bowman Hills Adventist School. During practice, Logan Darrell split his chin while rolling over the globes but managed to finish the performance with his chin taped, with plans to get stitches later. The rest of the team completed the show safely and with smiles and excitement. A girl in the audience told them the performance brought her to tears, and Elkie Tidwell, sophomore, remarked, “The first show was my favorite because it was the most enthusiastic and encouraging.”

Each student was given ten dollars and let loose in a mall for lunch between the first and second shows. A group of girls headed to Barnes and Noble while others went into clothing stores or immediately got food. At Lester Coon Adventist School, multiple moves, like Carson Watkins diving over around 13 girls and the butterflies went well. Unfortunately, Elkie Tidwell sprained her ankle, putting her out of commission, Zariah Hamilton, senior, got a concussion from stalling during a round-off back handspring back tuck, and at the very end, while packing up, JP Mathis, gymnix sponsor, broke her wrist from a mat falling on her. Before the team returned to SAU, they took Mathis to the ER. SAU was conducting a class, so the team headed to an activity center called Activate. They could swim, play disc golf, or hang out in the welcome center. Most of the team picked the pool to help them cool off after a long day. To end the day they all worked on separate moves, one being a four-high and another being a two-high butterfly.

Gymnix packed up their luggage the next day and headed to Providence Christian Academy in Lexington, Kentucky to perform. During the show, every older student cheered for Emmett Stevens because he used to be a student there. The team spent the rest of the day helping out at the church, and the team led a worship service for the students.

The following day, the team returned to the church to help make food. Some members led a song service, and a Highland alumnus, Anthony Allen, gave a short sermon. They spent the Sabbath afternoon at a park. Coach Rogers gathered the team for reflection. That is when Isaiah McKenzie, a senior, said, “We’re a team on the mats, but we’re also a team off the mats,” a sentiment that resonated with everyone.

The next destination was Malibu Jack’s, a Family Fun Park. There were many different activities, and each group went to various places, some bowling and others going to the arcade. It was the best activity to end the trip because there was team building but also lots of fun for everyone.