Gymnastics: Kristin Mirski ready for Carmel

Updated: November 18, 2011 8:17PM

It was the students who became the ultimate teachers for Carmel junior Kristin Mirski.

Mirski, who helped lead the Corsairs to the girls gymnastics state title the last two years, credits teaching gymnastics at the Carmel summer camps the last three years with helping her to grow as a gymnast and as a person.

‘‘It has been great teaching them new things,’’ Mirski said. ‘‘And then I get to watch them use those new skills. It made me realize how valuable learning is.’’

Mirski showed that maturity in the state meet last year. She had a bad fall on the bars in the preliminary rounds, blowing any chance she had of winning the all-around title. But she was able to regroup and won the state floor-exercise title.

‘‘I messed up real bad on the bars,’’ Mirski said. ‘‘But after teaching the last two years, I learned how to stop being upset at myself.’’

Mirski also found a way to climb out of sister Amber’s shadow last year.

‘‘I loved competing on the same team as my sister,’’ Mirski said. ‘‘We are very close, and I missed her. But I knew I had to work even harder without her there.’’

Her dedication to the team earned praise from Corsairs coach Sarah Doyle.

‘‘Kristin has really has worked hard in and out of the gym,’’ Doyle said. ‘‘She gives so much time at the camp, and the kids really love her.

‘‘Kristin has learned so much about herself, and I love how she interacts with the kids. She is a great role model.’’

Mirski, fellow junior Lauren Feely and senior Jen Zeller are the main reasons Carmel is favored to win its third consecutive state title. Anna Brandmeier and Sarah Cohen-Smith will be keys for the Corsairs, too.

‘‘This group loves to work hard,’’ Doyle said. ‘‘There is not a lot of talk or pressure here. What is really fun is that the students here at Carmel are really into it.’’

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