THE ECHO

By Lauren Klein // Reporter

Most people know jump rope from a playground activity or a gym unit.

But since 1974, it has been an international competition.

Jumpers focus on building strength, speed, and stamina to compete with multiple different types of jump rope throughout a competition. Also staying within the guided rules set in stone worldwide by the International Jump Rope Union, the sports international governing body.

Jump rope competition sizes can range from worldwide, to regional, to statewide.

The Avon Aerial Orioles are Avon’s local jump rope team, one of four competitive jump rope teams in Indiana.

Sophomore Anna Koehlinger, a member of the team for 6 years, focuses on puting her routines together in sections.

“I would say I think about building my routines in sections,” Koehlinger said. “I pick what tricks are my favorites and that I’m consistent with, then I pick a song with a good beat that goes with those tricks, then I add in filler tricks where I need to fill the time limit. But all of that typically comes with a lot of adjustments.”

Those adjustments typically come with a time crunch.

“A lot of times, it’ll be a week before competition and there’s still things I want to switch,” Koehlinger said. “But I also try to make sure I’m not putting too much stress on one routine or just on myself in general.”

When Sophomore Vivian Ford builds her routines, she just focus’s on having fun.

“That I want the judges to think I’m fun and that my routine goes along to the music,” Ford said. “Even if it’s not as hard as other people, I want people to remember my routine because it was entertaining.”

Koehlinger believes the team needs to practice more conditioning.

“When we do group conditioning its very evident that some people aren’t in shape,” Koehlinger said. “I think repping speed more would help a lot. Also running routines more and that will help.”

Koehlinger and Ford both agree that the team’s routines need to be run and practiced more.

“I would say really running our routines and practicing the whole thing together rather than wasting time and talking about them is something our team needs to improve on,” Ford said.

But at competition, Koehlinger loves the comradery of the sport.

“My favorite part about competitions is seeing all my friends I’ve made across the country,” Koehlinger said. “Especially since I only see them a few times a year it’s always so fun to catch up. I also love watching and cheering my teammates on. It’s so fun to watch them do so well and support them.”

Ford agrees that she loves catching up with her old friends on other teams across the country.

“My favorite part about competitions is seeing all my friends from different teams and going in the practice team and jumping with them,” Ford said. “And I usually eat a lot of crap with my friends and even if the competitions’ part doesn’t go well, it’s such a good time.”

Koehlinger believes that jump rope is a lot more than people know.

“Most people think it’s just basic jumping but it actually takes a lot of athleticicm,” Koehlinger said. “I also think people should know that the community is so welcoming and supportive. We all cheer each other on and love watching each other hit our goals.”