If Lucy Tull ’25 could use one word to describe the Grosse Pointe Unified Gymnastics team season, it would be perseverance. Tull was a gymnast for eight years before abandoning the sport for the next four. Despite this break, gymnastics remained a passion of hers, so when the opportunity arose to jump back in, Tull took it.

Tull had heard about the team as a freshman but was preoccupied with other things and couldn’t find time for the sport.

“I didn’t know about it until a bit through the season,” Tull said. “So, I decided I would give it a try next year and get back into [gymnastics] and I’m really glad I did.”

Tull is a member of the unified gymnastics team, which is a mix of Grosse Pointe North and South students. Tull was excited about this idea and found it to be a fun way to meet new people.

“I think the most rewarding thing this season was meeting new people and making new friends,” Tull said. “While competing and doing gymnastics was really fun too, it was nice to have a good bond with the team which made it all the more fun to compete and practice with each other.”

Ava Rogowski ’23 has a similar story to Tull. She stepped away from the sport for a while when a fractured back sidelined her at age 12. Still, the idea of doing gymnastics with former club teammates drew her back, and she has since found herself in a leadership role for the team.

“As a captain and team veteran, I feel my most important contribution to the team was to be a positive role model and example for my teammates-–both in the classroom and in the gym,” Rogowski said.

When it came to states, Rogowski and Tull both said that the team knew they had a chance to qualify after winning at their previous league meet.

“We knew that if everyone competed well, we would have a chance to place in our region, but with gymnastics nothing is ever a guarantee,” Rogowski said. “When they announced the top three and we earned our spot to the state meet, we were so happy with what we accomplished as a team. There were definitely lots of happy tears and hugs.”

At the end of the day, the unified team finished tenth with three members becoming All-Staters: Ava Rogowski ’23, Madi Lucido ’23 and Maddie LoPorto ’23. Rogowski described being named an All-Stater as a huge accomplishment during her final season, especially since she was coming back from an ankle injury the previous year.

“The most rewarding part of this season was being able to improve as an athlete and watch my teammates improve as well,” Rogowski said. “As captain, it was nice to play a part in helping people who have never tried gymnastics find joy and success in the sport I love.”