What Rivalry? Apple Valley, Eastview Gymnastics Teams 'Two Peas in a Pod'

Apple Valley and Eastview high schools: Bitter cross-town rivals, fierce competitors, natural antagonists—supportive teammates?

Well, yes and no.

For the and gymnastics teams, necessity is proving to be the mother of mutual team spirit and has helped melt a competitive barrier between the two schools.

Due to a coaching vacancy, the Apple Valley gymnastics program was close to not fielding a squad for the 2011-12 season. Ashley Horton, a former high school and college gymnast working as a student teacher in District 196, offered to take on the head coaching duties for the Eagles when she learned of the dilemma, but the absence of a required spotter and assistant meant a creative solution was needed if the Eagles were still going to take flight this season.

Enter friendly neighbor Eastview. 

“Certainly if we didn't have a coach, we wouldn't have had a program,” said Apple Valley Athletic Director Pete Buesgens. “Thankfully we found someone. She is still student teaching and on occasion would still have commitments to that position so it made sense to look around and see if we couldn’t have some other coaches around. We talked to Eastview and are very grateful they opened their doors to us.”

So, the two teams practice together at Eastview, travel together to the same meets, host joint “home” meets at Eastview, but still compete separately. Buesgens defined the arrangement as a “shared resource program.”

“It’s not a co-op,” he said. “This is different in the sense that we will always be competing separately. We will always be two different teams.”

A recent meet with Lakeville North at Eastview on Tuesday confirmed the Eagles and Lightning were two different teams. But if not for the different school colors on the girls’ leotards, one might have to take a second look to discern who was competing against whom. It was obvious that Lakeville North was the third wheel in the gym.

“It was great to see the Eastview girls on the mat cheering for the Apple Valley girls and the Apple Valley girls cheering on the Eastview girls,” Buesgens said. “I think the kids have handled it really well.”

Initially there was some uncertainty from students about blending two inherent opponents.

“At first it was a little rough; we have a small team and we didn’t really know each other well ourselves,” said Apple Valley sophomore Karley Almgren. “Going with Eastview and then having to be separated was really difficult so we couldn’t bond as much as we wanted to. But then we were able to bond with the Eastview team and it kind of made up for it.”

Almgren said the joint practices quickly helped develop a camaraderie that spilled over into competition. 

“It doesn’t seem like we’re two teams until we compete.” she said. “You cheer for the people you know, and since we know each other, we cheer for each other.”

The coaches said the arrangement has surpassed their expectations.

“There’s lots of camaraderie between the two teams,” Horton said. “It’s amazing camaraderie. It’s been a very good experience to have Eastview’s gymnasts and their coaches be so supportive.”

Eastview head coach Ashley Larson, who is in her second year as the Lightning head coach after being an assistant coach the previous nine years, agreed with how well the two teams have meshed.

“I think it was a little weird for some of the girls knowing Apple Valley was coming over here,” Larson said. “Now, they’re awesome. They’re like two peas in a pod, which is pretty cool to see among two big rivals.”

Larson said the extra bodies have meant some extra work for the coaches, but it’s been rewarding.

“Seeing the girls smile and doing what they’re doing, it’s been well worth it,” she said.

Buesgens said the goal is to move the program back to Apple Valley High School next year, hopefully retaining Horton—whom he credits with doing “a wonderful job”—while adding some assistants. 

But for this season at least, the Eastview High School gym is the unlikely “home” to some very happy Eagles.