The former head coach and one of the program's top performers are back for the 2025 New Palestine gymnastics season.
Longtime head coach Debbie Bruns never really left.
She retired from head coaching in 2023 after leading the Dragons to the state finals.
Last season, Taylor Brown -- a former gymnast for Bruns -- was the head coach, but Bruns stayed around to assist. A job conflict forced Brown to step away as head coach and Bruns is back to lead the team again.
"I just don't want to see the program die," Bruns, a former New Palestine gymnast, said on her return. "We've been here almost 50 years, only two years less than the girls basketball and volleyball teams. ... It breaks my heart the thought it could end.
"I'll be coaching until I'm 90 if they don't find another one," she chuckled.
Bruns should have a really good team too.
Along with the coach, senior standout JJ Fee returns after sitting out her junior season.
Plagued by injuries much of her first two high school seasons, Fee stepped away last year, but she's back and healthier. She will be a great addition to a lineup that is already extremely talented.
"She doesn't make or break our team but she adds a third higher-level scorer," Bruns said. "They take the top three scorers and last year we had two very good scorers and one decent third scorer. She adds that third high-level scorer."
In 2023, Fee was a sectional champion on balance beam and floor exercise. Though less than 100 percent due to an injury suffered prior to the state meet, she was able to finish 14th on floor and 15th on beam. It was the best by a New Palestine gymnast since 2017.
"JJ's goal is to be the floor champion and she has the toughest floor passes in the state," Bruns said. "Her beam is also phenomenal, but her goal is to win floor and I think she'll have a good shot. She was averaging 9.5-9.6 two years ago and that was in pain and injured."
Fee and juniors Lynzie Stiller and Olivia Frank have all won either event or overall championships at the sectional level.
Stiller is the two-time defending all-around sectional champion. She was the lone New Pal gymnast to qualify for state last season. She finished 23rd in the state in the all-around competition.
"She's just such a competitor," Bruns said of Stiller. "She's a fighter and doesn't give up."
Frank won last season's sectional title on floor exercise. She and Stiller finished 1-2 in the event and helped lead the Dragons to a second straight sectional championship.
With the accolades of Fee, Stiller and Frank, New Palestine will be at its strongest on floor.
Sophomore newcomer Alexis Hall along with veteran senior Chiara Polo are two more extremely talented gymnasts. Junior newcomer Kalle Jones is another gymnast that adds to the deep and talented lineup.
Bruns believes Hall can help right away and said she has potential to be right up there with Fee, Stiller and Frank.
"I totally understood (Fee's) reasoning of stepping back last year. She wasn't having any fun, it hurt too much," Bruns added. "You keep the door open and I'm glad she's back.
"She's a one-in-a-million kid that you want on your team, but it's not just the JJ Show. As good as she is, and I'm thankful to have her, it's a team sport and we could not do it without the other kids busting their butts. I love them all and Lynzie, Olivia, Lexi, Chiara, they are all talented as well."
With that skilled of a roster, Bruns believes the Dragons can return to the state meet as a team. The 2023 trip was New Pal's first full-team trip since 2017.
"I have no doubt, if we stay healthy we'll be at state as a team," Bruns added. "I have three sectional champions back. Just looking at that, and having that experience going in, we should do well."
Bruns added there will be plenty of challenges along the way in the sectional and regional rounds with teams like Columbus North, Bloomington South and Bloomington North, the three teams that advanced to state out of last year's regional. Columbus North placed fourth in the 2024 state meet..
"It's not like it's going to be a walk in the park, but I think we have a good shot," Bruns said, noting the Dragons would love to come away with a regional title this season.
The roster includes 13 gymnasts. Fee, Polo and Kayla Marshall and Ella Mattingly are the team's only seniors.