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Valley's Armenia the Next in Long Line of Valley Gymnast Greats

Football and gymnastics are probably as far apart as two sports can get, but there is an old adage in football that certainly applies to the Valley gymnastics team: next man up. The Warriors have been the poster children for gymnastics success through the last three seasons and so when they waved good-bye to three graduating seniors, there was only one thing that could be said: next man up, or in this case, the next woman up. That next woman appears to be sophomore Jenna Armenia, who has stepped into a new role this season and hopes to guide Valley to its fourth straight Class S state title.

"I think we can win another title; I mean, all the girls are great at gymnastics," Jenna says. "I have confidence because this is just a great team with great team members. I think we have a chance."

After taking gymnastics classes at an early age, Jenna rediscovered the sport five years ago. Now she competes nearly year-round as a member of the Valley team, Flip Flop Gymnastics in Deep River, and the Flip Flop Prep Opt Intermediate team. Jenna also helps out young gymnasts at Flip Flop during birthday parties.

"Jenna has come a really long way," said Flip Flop coach and Valley assistant coach Monica Bauer. "We used her score for her first year in only one event and now she is competing in all four events and we are counting on her score. She has been improving and working on new skills to bump her scores up even higher."

Donning the Valley gymnastics uniform carries a lot of weight. The Warriors have set the bar extremely high over the last three seasons and so it was no wonder that Jenna was a little star-struck when she first joined the team as a freshman.

"I was kind of nervous because everyone was so good and I was just coming in as a little freshman," says Jenna. "It was kind of nerve-wracking, but I got used to it and now it is just so much fun. After one or two meets, I started not getting nervous and felt comfortable once I got to know everyone. Everyone was so nice and that was very comforting."

As a freshman, Jenna only competed on bars, the event she calls her strongest. Last season, as the Warriors were for going for their third straight title, Jenna sprained her right ankle, meaning she wouldn't get the chance to compete in anything but bars as Valley claimed the championship. But despite her limited role, Jenna says just being there with the team taught her a lot about what high school gymnastics is all about.

"Freshman season was a great experience," she says. "It was a great feeling to win something like states, knowing you tried hard and finally succeeded."

Now as a sophomore, Jenna will be looked upon to make a much bigger impact. She is competing in all four events this winter in the beam, bars, floor, and vault, and with only four team members, her scores will be counted on night in and night out. If Valley is to claim another title, there is no denying Jenna will have to be a key contributor.

"I think Jenna is really focused and realizes now her practices are what makes her a better gymnast," said Bauer. "She is getting really focused and that will show in states."

In order to be better prepared when the postseason meets arrive, Jenna says she has been working on her all-around skills. Events like bars are her strength and getting consistent scores on the beam and vault are her priority in the days leading up to states. Still, the youngster says she is as confident as ever.

"I have more skills' I can compete in all four events whereas last year I only competed in bars," Jenna says. "I definitely feel more confident."

Jenna is also a member of the lacrosse team and the Steering Committee at Valley. As a freshman, she earned a varsity letter in lacrosse, and though there is some uncertainty surrounding who will coach the lacrosse team this spring, Jenna says just focusing on getting ready to step onto the field.

"I just want to play lacrosse," she says. "I've been taking some clinics to get myself in shape."

Like so many of the great gymnasts before her at Valley, wearing the red and black carries a heavy burden of expectation, although Jenna Armenia appears beyond her years as she isn't worried about pressure. Instead, she just wants to help maintain the Warriors' good name.

"I think that pressure of being a Valley gymnast has gone away," Jenna says. "I was kind of worried about the three seniors who left from last season, but now thinking about how we are going to do this year, I think we are going to do well in states."