State Champs of the Season

Crown Point High School Gymnastics team receives rings for winning state competition

Brooklyn Gargano and Annabella Angarone

September 19, 2024

On September 13, The Crown Point High School gymnastics team was recognized for winning their state competition. This was the gymnastics team’s second championship in a row, and third time down at state in as many years. It was also the team’s only undefeated season in school history. After winning this championship on March 9, the members of the team received rings in front of the community at the football game to celebrate this accomplishment.

“It feels really good, honestly,” sophomore Katie Tsiakopulus said. “We tried so hard this entire year to get to where we are and we finally made it.”
Senior Leah Fenner also said that getting the rings was “super exciting” and “a lot of work went into achieving this ultimate goal.”

Coach Ami Pysh commented on how this season has all around been an accomplishment for the team. “This is just the combination of such an amazing six or seven months,” Pysh said. “I just told the kids that I don’t think I had stopped smiling since March 9. It was a dream season. It was Crown Point High School’s first ever undefeated season in school history, and gymnastics has been a sport since 1973. So, when we went to state the first time, it was two years ago. That was the 50th anniversary of gymnastics. Title IX was also happening which is equality for women in sports. This was our second championship in three years. It’s so exciting.”

Graduate Elly Kiran said that getting the ring feels like “the icing on the cake” to her ending year on the gymnastics team. Kiran was also a part of the Crown Point High Schools gymnastics team in 2022, when they won their first championship. Kiran was also the winner of the 2023-2024 All-Around individual title and Mildred M. Ball Mental Attitude Award.

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About the Contributors

Brooklyn Gargano, Copy Editor

Brooklyn Gargano is a sophomore at Crown Point High School. This is Gargano’s second year on the high school Excalibur Yearbook staff, serving as the Copy Editor. Gargano has two previous years of experience due to being on the Taft Middle School Yearbook Staff in 7th and 8th grade. Gargano adores all aspects of yearbook, but her favorite activity is taking pictures at athletic events. Outside of the yearbook staff, Gargano is an active member of Student Council, Key Club, Spanish Club, and Theatre Crew. Gargano also plays the cello for the Crown Point Advanced Orchestra.

Annabella Angarone, Managing Editor

Annabella Angarone is a sophomore at Crown Point High School. This is her second year on the staff. She is the Managing Editor of the Inklings Newspaper. When she is not writing for Inklings, she takes part in the Aviation Club, Ballroom Dancing Club, Card Club, and Show Choir. Even though Angarone still has a few years before college, since she was 7 years old she has been working on screenplays for hopefully her future career.