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02/15/2017 11:00 PMGymnastics have been a big part of Cassidy Kehlenbach’s life for as long as she can remember. After so many years, it’s hard for Cassidy to believe that her time in the sport is coming to a close as she finishes her senior season with the Valley Regional gymnastics team.
“It makes me want to cry,” says Cassidy of her upcoming last meet. “I’m excited because it’s Senior Night, but also very sad, because I’ve been doing it 16 years, which is my whole life. I’ll be giving up a part of me I’ve always held onto. It’ll be one last thing and it’s all done. I just want to have fun with it, have a good meet, and make it my best.”
Cassidy has enjoyed her four years with the Warriors and she was especially happy to realize her goal of becoming a captain for her senior season. Cassidy captains the Warriors with Liza Miezejeski and the two have grown close after competing alongside each other throughout their high school careers.
“Being best friends and captains is awesome. We’ve always been close and always dreamed of being co-captains together,” Cassidy says. “I love the leadership role and make sure the team is motivated, happy, and ready to go.”
Cassidy has also competed with several of her Valley teammates, including Lily O’Neil and Corinne Fowler, as a member of the USA Gymnastics program at Flip-Flop Gymnastics in Deep River. When she arrived at Valley Regional, Cassidy was ready to make the switch to the high school level of competition.
“The USA team was a little too much pressure. Joining the high school team took off some of that pressure, but I was still able to compete at a high level,” says Cassidy, who’s continued to train year-round. “It’s a bit more fun and less stressful, especially when you have homework and a job.”
Although Valley’s Senior Night meet is its last one on the schedule, Cassidy still has a chance to extend her season. Cassidy, who competes in all four events, is ranked No. 45 in the state for the uneven bars, which is her favorite event. If her performance on Senior Night pushes her into the top 40, Cassidy will move on to the State Championship.
Cassidy has had to overcome some obstacles throughout her high school career. She was injured during her freshman and sophomore seasons and forced to sit out for almost an entire year. One of Cassidy’s proudest moments was returning to competition.
“Gymnastics is a very hard sport to come back into, but I persevered, and knew I had to do it for myself,” she says. “My parents and grandparents have also been there for me and come to every meet. My coaches didn’t give up on me. They pushed me to go on with conditioning and wanted me to come back. They’re like my family and so motivational, always there for me, and just wonderful people.”
Cassidy has worked with multiple coaches for several years at Flip-Flop Gymnastics, where she started when she was six. Monica Bauer, Diane Scott, and Amy Richmond have worked with Cassidy since she joined Flip-Flop and Carl Cavrell began coaching her when she was in 8th grade. Cavrell continues to work with Cassidy as Valley Regional’s co-head coach and praises her for how she sets a great example for her fellow gymnasts.
“Cassidy brings leadership and selflessness to the team and she really cares about all the girls and puts others ahead of herself,” says Cavrell, who coaches the Warriors with Bauer. “She encourages and cheers on her teammates at meets, but also in practice, and is always there to lend a helping hand. Cassidy also is a great, enthusiastic teacher in the gym classes she does for Flip-Flop. We are really going to miss her next year.”
When Cassidy isn’t competing, she coaches at Flip-Flop and works with students aged 3 to 13. Cassidy has been teaching for several years and she’s formed close bonds with her students.
“I’ve worked with some kids from age 5 and now they’re 13 and I’ve become really close with them,” Cassidy says. “I’ll continue teaching until I go to college. I’ll miss the girls I coach.”
Cassidy, a high honors student, is hoping to study film and screen writing at either Champlain College or the University of Colorado Boulder. Cassidy, who recently finished an internship with Valley’s graphic arts program, has always enjoyed filming her gymnastics performances and making music videos. Her career path was firmed up after completing a school project earlier this year.
“I filmed a promo video for our gymnastics team,” says Cassidy. “It was a mixture of my two favorite things and was one of my most exciting times.”