Head Coach: Charlie Fleck--35th season overall (288-40 meet record, 1,158-106 team record), 7th season with Perham. Fleck has won 13 State titles and 20 Section championships.
2007 Season: Perham was 5-0 in dual meets. They finished 2nd at the Jackie Mann Invite, 2nd at the Lakeville Invite, and won their 3rd straight Class A True Team State Championship.
2007 Sections: The Jackets won their 5th straight Mid-State Conference title, sweeping all four individual titles as well as the All-Around. They went on to win their 4th straight Class A State Championship with a score of 149.60, nearly six points ahead of runner-up Pine Island (143.750).
2008 Senior: Miranda Schmitz (2007 Mid-State uneven bar champ, 2007 8A floor exercise champ, 2007 8A All-Around champ). She finished 3rd at State on the uneven bars, 9th on the balance beam, 14th in the floor exercise and 7th in th eAll-Around.
Get to Know'em: Jenna Schmitz (so., 7th at State in floor exercise and balance beam, 6th in All-Around); Kelsi Vomacka (fr., 2nd at State on balance beam, 6th on vault, 5th in floor exercise and 2nd in All-Around, 2007 Mid-State vault champ); Mikaela Eickschen (fr.), Holy Sheets (so.), Carly Peterson (fr.), Zoie Potts (fr.).
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Strengths: Where do you start? Despite losing two State All-Around champs (Ashley Brasel, Kourtney Johnston), the Jackets still boast three All-State elite caliber gymnasts in the Schmitz cousins and Vomacka. Eickschen, who competed in two events at State (floor exercise, vault), will be an All-Around competitor this year. Peterson is the team's most improved from off-season workouts and Potts is a transfer from California who will compete for a top-five spot.
Season Outlook: With Detroit Lakes graduating their top-3 gymnasts, and breaking in a new coach, Perham should have little trouble winning another Mid-State Conference title, as well as another Section 8A crown, as long as they stay injury free. Competition at State may be tighter than in recent years, but the Jackets should be considered favorites to win their 5th straight Class A title.
Coaches Quote: "We might start out slow this year, but by mid-season, we should have a nice team." Charlie Fleck
Schedule Note: Perham will be hosting the Class A True Team State Championships on Jan. 26 at Hauer Gymnasium in Perham High School.
