“We’re not here just to do gymnastics,” Mori said. “We’re all friends, we’re family. I think that’s what makes a difference. No other team is as close as us.”
He pointed to Matt del Junco, who finished second to Mori at state. Del Junco also won the Level 10 vault national title last year.
“I’ve been his teammate since I started in the sport,” said Mori, who hopes to compete at the University of Illinois next year. “He’s seriously like my brother.”
Other team members come from as far away as Torrance or Simi Valley. But there are also locals, like the Morgan family of Fountain Valley. Randy Morgan, the mom, said she’s been coming to New Hope since her older son, Keith, was 6. Keith is now a freshman at Fountain Valley High, but like most high schools, there’s no gymnastics program there.
She said Coach Scott Picquelle used to coach in high school, but such programs have all but vanished.
“I think [New Hope] does a great service to the community,” Randy Morgan said. “These children really achieve, and they have a fun time. I owe a lot to the coaching here. They understand about keeping it fun.
“It’s really extraordinary. All of these kids go on to be regional and national champions and go on to prestigious colleges.”
She wouldn’t get an argument from her younger son, Drew. At 11, he’s a Level 6 gymnast.
“It’s a good atmosphere,” Drew said. “The older guys, they always help the younger people.”
