Building for the Future: Wagner Bon Homme Gymnastics Lays the Foundation in the 2025 Season
The 2025 winter gymnastics season was one of learning, growth, and determination for the Wagner Bon Homme Gymnastics Team, under the guidance of Head Coach Cherie Petry. With a roster full of young and eager gymnasts, this year was all about laying the groundwork for future success—an investment that Coach Petry believes will pay dividends for years to come.
While the season came with its share of challenges, it also brought bright moments, personal victories, and a clear sense that the program is moving in the right direction. In this year’s Winter Sports Recap Series, we had the chance to hear directly from Coach Petry about the season, her stand-out athletes, and what’s next for the rising stars of Wagner Bon Homme Gymnastics.
Young Talent Leads the Way
With a team built on youth, it was essential for Wagner Bon Homme to find contributors who could rise to the occasion despite limited experience. And rise they did.
According to Coach Petry, key contributors this season included Addison Cuka, Amelia Rathgeber, Aubry Williams, Roper Lhotak, and Dusti Laska. Each gymnast played an important role in pushing the team forward. Their development over the season reflected the team’s steady growth in confidence, skill level, and performance under pressure.
Of this group, Dusti Laska emerged as a true standout. “Dusti really stepped up this year,” said Coach Petry. “She improved on every event and continued to reach her goals.” Her commitment and progression throughout the season symbolized the team’s grit and determination.
A Season of Growing Pains and Progress
When asked to reflect on how the season went overall, Coach Petry was honest and optimistic. “We were a very young team,” she shared. “They made some great improvements. Being so young also proved to be a bit difficult in maintaining their confidence during competitions.”
Youth in gymnastics can be both an advantage and a challenge. While younger athletes often have greater long-term potential, they may also struggle with the mental side of competition—nerves, consistency, and self-belief. Wagner Bon Homme’s gymnasts experienced all of that this year but never lost sight of their goals.
Coach Petry emphasized that despite the team’s lack of experience, they made noticeable strides in their execution and attitude. In a sport where mental resilience is as important as physical strength, those kinds of breakthroughs are essential.
The Unsung Challenges
Every team faces adversity in some form—whether through injuries, tough scores, or moments of self-doubt. Though not explicitly outlined, it’s clear that this young squad was tested throughout the season.
While Coach Petry did not detail specific injuries or low points, her reflections reveal a team that battled through common struggles faced by young athletes: confidence in front of judges, adjusting to meet-day routines, and learning to handle the pressure of competitive gymnastics.
Still, it was evident that these young gymnasts never backed down. They continued to show up, work hard, and strive for improvement, meet after meet—a credit to both the athletes and the coaching staff.
Building a Legacy Starts Now
Though the team may not have boasted a large senior class or top-tier rankings this year, Coach Petry sees something far more valuable: a foundation.
“This is a very young team,” she said. “These girls have lots of growth that can be made.”
The excitement in her voice is clear. It’s not just about what happened in 2025, but what could happen in 2026 and beyond. One of the most promising signs is the enthusiasm being shown in the offseason.
“I have more girls interested in summer open gyms and camps,” she said. “There’s a large drive to learn more skills. They understand that improvements only come with hard work in and out of season.”
For a coach, that’s music to the ears.
Looking to the Offseason: Creativity and Skill-Building
With the competition season in the rearview mirror, the focus now shifts to offseason development. For Wagner Bon Homme, that means skill acquisition, strength training, and routine refinement.
“In the off-season, we are looking to gain skills,” Petry said. “We need to master the required skills on each event and add some creativity into our routines.”
This balanced approach—strengthening fundamentals while encouraging artistic expression—will be key to taking the program to the next level. In gymnastics, routines aren’t just about flips and landings; they’re about performance, grace, and style. Developing that creative edge will help the team stand out when it matters most.
Petry’s goals for offseason training also reflect a broader theme: growth isn’t limited to the season. For her athletes, the journey continues year-round, and that’s where champions are made.
Leadership in Progress
While this year may not have been about a dominating senior class, it was still about building leadership. Coach Petry is not only shaping gymnasts—she’s shaping future role models.
By creating a culture focused on learning, goal-setting, and self-discipline, she’s empowering her athletes to lead by example and push each other to improve. The younger gymnasts, many of whom are just beginning their competitive journeys, are learning what it means to work hard, stay committed, and aim high.
Stats and Recognition
While detailed team statistics weren’t provided, those interested in the team’s performance can check out MaxPreps for individual and team results. But as any coach will tell you, stats rarely tell the full story—especially for a young team focused on growth.
In the end, the wins and podiums matter—but not as much as the internal victories: overcoming fear, mastering new skills, showing up even after a tough day.
Conclusion: The Start of Something Special
The 2025 season for Wagner Bon Homme Gymnastics may not have been defined by state titles or undefeated records, but it was defined by something even more important: the formation of a strong, passionate team culture.
With standout gymnasts like Dusti Laska leading the charge and a host of motivated returners eager to elevate their routines, the future of Wagner Bon Homme Gymnastics is promising. More importantly, it’s in the hands of athletes and coaches who understand that success isn’t handed out—it’s earned, one routine, one skill, one practice at a time.
Coach Petry and her team aren’t just preparing for next season—they’re building a program that will be ready to shine when its moment arrives. And judging by the drive and determination on display this year, that moment may come sooner than anyone expects.
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