Olympic athlete, and TJ Gymnastics Coach Annamari Maaranen-Hincks is helping Spartan Gymnasts with their high-vaulting hopes and dreams.
photo by Kiera Classen
In her humble beginnings of Tampere, and since age nine, Annamari Maaranen-Hincks started doing gymnastics at her school after seeing flyers for the after school program.
“They put posters up everywhere and I took interest. I walked into the gym and have loved it ever since I started,” said Annamari who kept with gymnastics because of how much fun she was having. “Not only was it fun, but there is a lot of variety. You can go from springboard to doing gymanstics on the floor,” she said.
Annamari kept learning about the sport as she went along in her journey. “You learn something new everyday. There is always room for improvement. That’s why I loved gymnastics.” Annamari then took her game to an entirely different level than most athletes. As she kept working, she showed improvement, and she then qualified to go to the 2007 World Championships in Germany. In order to be an Olympian, the athlete must do very well in the World Championships. Annamari said, “When going into the competition, I knew that there was pressure on me. It had been 44 years since someone from Finland had qualified for the Olympics in gymnastics.” Annamari said she had the competition of her life, impressed the judges, and was qualified for the 2008 Olympics, going to be held in Beijing. It was only five days before she was heading to America, where she was to join the University of Denver’s gymnastics team.
Annamari had received an athletic scholarship in 2007 from DU in gymnastics, which she accepted and was planning on attending. Unfortunately for her Olympic opportunities, it wasn’t the best move for her. Annamari said, “While competing in Denver, I got a knee injury. I didn’t recover in enough time to go back and compete at an Olympic level.” Yet, this opened up doors for her at TJ.
Annamari finished school at DU and was looking to take a year off from her studies. TJ athletic director Lani Nobles emailed Annamari’s gymnastics coach and recommended the head coaching job of girls gymnastics at TJ to anyone who was interested. Nobles said about the hire, “With her expertise as an Olympic athlete and a Division I gymnasts gave her the experience to be our head coach.” This opening comes in the wake of former head coach Tim Hardy stepping down, after four years as TJ’s head coach of gymnastics.
This scenario fit perfectly into Annamari’s schedule. “I thought it would be a great experience; I could use my ability to help younger girls move along in their experience.” She accepted the job, and also became a paraprofessional in the Special Education department at TJ.
The season started and Annamari got right into her groove as head coach. She has a coaching style to help these girls, from beginners to experts, learn the sport she knows so well. She said on her coaching style, “I follow a few principles. We are a team. If one player is late to practice, the whole team does conditioning.” This is crucial in gymnastics because it is such a team sport. What one girl does affects what the next girl has to do, and so on. Annamari also said, “Each girl has to establish a sense of trust with each teammate. That is why I stay on them to remain as a team.” Annamari also says she tries to stick to a single coaching style. “I had so many different head coaches when I was younger. There were the really mean ones, and the ones that never yelled at anybody. I try to find my style one that is consistent.” She also tries to involve the athletes in decision making. “I don’t want [the athletes] to feel like I have created a dictatorship. I want everyone to be included.” She feels this mentality keeps a feeling of team spirit.
Annamari also stresses practice for her gymnasts. She tells them, “Practice is huge. You only get better through practice in this sport. It’s so no one gets hurt during competitions. You have to learn how much your body can handle.” It is clear that between her coaching style and her emphasis on practice, the team has come a long way since the beginning of the year. She says about the improvement, “They have realized that everything is organized, whether it’s a meet or it’s just practice.” A true team effort has been showing throughout the season.
Annamari also saw that she was getting a large range of experience in gymnastics. After being able to work with the kids she said, “I know that I have to baby them along. Make sure they understand the basics first.” As evidenced by the team’s recent practices, the girls also feel very comfortable around Annamari. They have light-hearted conversations with her, and have comfortable practices, without too much tension.
But this coach may not last long for the Spartan gymnasts. Annamari is looking to head back to school. “I really want to finish my education. So, I am not sure if I can continue coaching here.” But, Annamari will not be leaving this esteemed program in the dark. “I will make sure that these girls get a great head coach, and the head coach will expand this team. At least get it to a JV and Varsity team.”
Annamari also got four of her gymnasts to go to state, held on November 4, 2011. Ashley Nordloh competed on floor and vault, Tyeler Johnson, Danika Trammel, and Megan Stone competed on vault for Annamari.
Annamari is a great coach for many reasons; mostly because she is a world champion and an Olympic athlete, and not many programs can brag with those qualifications.
