Remember These Titans
After coming off a bittersweet season marked by a .08 loss for the Dulles District title, Dominion’s gymnastics team started their season with intentions to impress.
Indeed, they got the job done sweeping their first meet against Broad Run, Heritage and Loudoun County High School. The meet was followed by a celebration and a birthday cake. What a birthday for junior Danielle Mazza who won bars that night. As if that wasn't enough, the girls headed off to IHOP, which was soon to become a post-meet tradition. The team goes there after every meet and sometimes after practice.
"We order as much food as possible and eat off each other’s plates," says senior Katy Dixon.
Whatever they’re doing, it’s working.
With strong depth and three of the district’s top all-around gymnasts, it’s no surprise that the Titans have dominated. Loudoun All-Extras and state competitors, seniors Katy Dixon, Catherine Smathers, and junior Danielle Mazza, took third, fourth and fifth in the all-around at districts last year. The Titans have worked hard to reach their goals and have boosted their team score each meet and had not lost as of mid-January. Meanwhile, the girls have made the best out of a season they’ll never forget.
The Titans even recruited four student managers. Junior Victor Mendez made a promise to one of the gymnasts last year. It was originally mentioned as a joke, but Mendez followed through. "I'm glad I made that promise," he says, "This team is crazy-awesome. They’re the most successful team at Dominion and they don't get nearly enough credit. They make it look almost effortless. Practice is more like a time to hang out and do flips."
Coach Mike Hitzges says, ‘’These are the most-talented, most bonded group of girls I have ever worked with.’’
And that makes it fun for everyone.
"I think it’s great that we can have so much fun at practice," says Dixon, "We get along like family and I wouldn’t be able to compete with out them."
Dixon was district runner-up on vault and floor. At the VHSL Group AAA/AA state meet, Dixon competed as an all-around and earned a 14th-place finish on beam. Dixon has strong dance and flexibility making beam and floor her best events.
"We make fun of each other when we fall," she says, "But then we encourage each other to get up and try again."
Smathers has led the Titans as captain since the beginning. She competed bars, beam and floor at the VHSL State AAA/AA meet, taking 13th place on beam.
"Catherine is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met," says Hitzges, "She is extremely talented and will work on something until she gets it right."
Other seniors include Kim Schwartz who performs an exquisite floor routine highlighting her unique style and grace, which is also apparent on the beam. Senior Ruthann Everhart is strong on the vault and floor. Everhart possesses a contagious personality. She has a good sense of humor and keeps the teams’ spirits up. Last season, Both Schwartz and Everhart competed in the regional meet. "DFT, Dominion Flippin’ Titans, this is our year," says Everhart.
"I don’t know how I am going to survive a season without the seniors," says Mazza, "Katy, Catherine, and Kim are part of the original team. Ruthann joined the team last year, but we love her just as much."
Mazza won the Dulles District championship last year on bars, her specialty. This season, she continues to excel on bars and is advancing her difficulty on the vault. Her power and fearlessness is key to her success.
Sophomore Brigitte Thieme- Burdette is a solid all-around competitor specializing in vault. As a freshman she competed in that event at the VHSL AAA/AA state meet.
"We joke around a lot and sometimes we get sidetracked," says Thieme-Burdette, "but we always get right back where we need to be."
At the district competition, only the top four scores in each event count toward the team’s final score. Thieme-Burdette has been the final link as the Titans’ fourth leading scorer.
"Brigitte and Kim have made the most progress since they first joined the team," says Mazza, "Brigitte works the hardest out of everybody and she’s by far the most motivated."
Junior Rachel Gilliland is new as is freshmen Michelle Burton, Liza Sarytchev and Jannett Trannguyen; each has potential and are the future of the team.
"Everyone leads the team in their own way," says Hitzges, "Everyone has their own distinct personality. They’re nice. They’re funny. Overall, there’s just a good feeling about this team and they definitely deserve all they have worked so hard for."
