It’s a different Northmont gymnastics team but the goal remains the same.

While the Thunderbolts lost six seniors to graduation, they still have their sights set on a return trip to the state tournament. There are two state berths from the Southwest District but, according to Northmont coach Larry McCoppin, only one is truly “up for grabs.”

“Mason is definitely above all of the other teams in terms of numbers and quality,” McCoppin said. “Even when they lose girls, it’s a matter of retooling, not rebuilding.”

Northmont is truly rebuilding. The Thunderbolts are young, without a single senior on the roster. Juniors like Alyssa Grell have had to step into leadership roles, and she and her teammates will be put to the test Monday as they host the Northmont Invitational.

“The upperclassmen really share the leadership role and try to motivate the team,” Grell said. “We’re not as strong as we were last year but we definitely have potential.”

Grell, 16, leads by example. The junior added beam to her slate of events this season. It means more potential points for the Thunderbolts and Grell can now also compete in the individual all-around.

“I haven’t competed on beam since I was in the fifth grade,” she said. “But if that’s what they need me to do, I’ll do it.”

While Grell, who started in gymnastics when she was 4, qualified to state as an individual on bars and vault as a freshman, she has struggled on the balance beam.

“I just fall off all the time,” she said.

Grell has also struggled with injury this season as she sprained her ankle two weeks ago. She was relegated to the sidelines, sporting a boot, until just recently when she was cleared to compete.

“It was my first injury – ever – and it was rough not being able to be out there,” she said.

With Grell on the mend and the recent addition of club gymnast Carrie Kleptz to the line-up, the Thunderbolts look to perform well in their first home event and build on that momentum as area teams get into the heart of the gymnastics season.