On Friday, August 16th, members of the Gymhawks Gymnastics Team from UW Whitewater celebrated the 8 Year Anniversary of the Gymhawks Gymnastics program. The Gymhawks program was created in 2011 by UW Whitewater student at the time – Allison Annala. As the program’s Head Coach, Annala has helped the program grow from a small recreational program with just 20 students, to a program with nearly 200 gymnasts and an active competitive team. Annala’s mission at Gymhawks is to develop empowered, driven, and passionate young women capable of advocating for themselves and others. In addition to strength and skill building, Coach Annala incorporates team building activities, community spirit, and opportunities to give back, to ensure the lessons taught at Gymhawks extend far beyond the competition arena.
Gymhawks Head Coach, Allison Annala 
Sophie Lonsdale, Level 3 from Fort Atkinson, and Bailey LeRoy, Level 4 from Palmyra
Photos Courtesy of Tara LeRoy
The Anniversary Celebration included an evening with an open gym -free for all ages to enjoy. Additionally, Rocky Rococo’s Pizza was available for purchase -followed by free drinks and cake. The event also offered a used leotard sale and raffle baskets to raise funds – with proceeds benefiting the Gymhawks Competitive team to assist in the team’s competition expenses and team building activities. Friday’s event netted over $700 for the team’s Gymhawks Booster Club – which holds several fundraising events throughout the year and always welcomes donations to assist in offering unique opportunities for the young gymnasts.
The Gymhawks Gymnastics program is a developmental gymnastics program run by the UW-Whitewater Gymnastics team. Young gymnasts learn in state-of-the art facilities with professional and caring staff and train in the same facilities as the five-time NCGA Division III National Gymnastics Champions Whitewater Warhawks. Gymhawks offers recreational group sessions, private and semi-private lessons, gymnastics camps, birthday parties, and has a USAG Competitive Team. Fall sessions start September 9th and registration is now open. For more information about Gymhawks Gymnastics, contact Head Coach Allison Annala at gymhawks@uww.edu or 262-472-1454, find them on Facebook under “Gymhawks Gymnastics” or at the University of Whitewater’s website http://www.uww.edu/ce/camps/athletic/gymhawks
