Boys gymnastics: Permian poised to make run at sixth state title

Ryan Press has caught himself staring at the banners.

So has Micah Tripp. So has Matthew Martinez, Riley Murphy, Camryn Hammit and every other member of the Permian boys gymnastics team.

Five state championship banners.

Permian wants to put a sixth banner on the wall after this weekend's Texas High School State Gymnastics Championships, a meet that begins at 11 a.m. today at the Garland Special Events Center.

"We can win this," Press said. "If we added one up there, it's saying that you were there, you put in all the effort."

Press has plenty of evidence to back up his hopes.

Competing with the same roster a year ago, the Panthers turned in a fourth-place finish.

Finishing in fourth won't be good enough for Permian this time around. Bringing all five all-around competitors back from last year's team means the Panthers won't be rattled the first time somebody falls.

"We know that some stuff is going to go wrong," Martinez said. "We have to have the inner strength to move past that. And since it's in the same place as last year, we know what to expect."

Permian can expect a crowded field loaded with talented teams.

Bryan, the defending state champion, is back. Hurst L.D. Bell is always a tough team to beat. Kingwood has a chance.

Permian cruised to the District 2-5A title and turned in another solid performance to win the team's eighth straight Region III Championship.

But at the state meet, every tenth of a point matters.

For that reason, the Panthers haven't spent the three weeks since the Region III Championships adding a series of tough skills.

"At this point in the season, it's a matter of the little things," first-year Permian coach Jared Whiles said. "We've got the routines we can do, everybody's comfortable and it's a matter of eliminating any tenths you can to make it better."

Eliminating those tenths isn't easy.

Flexed toes can be a tenth. Adjusting the hands can be a tenth. Every little step takes off precious tenths of a point the team needs.

To win the state championship, the Panthers have to eliminate every possible bobble.

"Going from a 9.4 to a 9.6 is really hard," Tripp said. "It's the little things we don't need in our routines that matter the most."

Under those circumstances, the Panthers should be feeling plenty of pressure.

But when Permian finished up its final practice on Wednesday before leaving for Garland, the team didn't look stressed.

Only one week separated the District 2-5A Championships and the Region III Championships.

Permian has spent the last three weeks waiting to get back into competition.

And this is the state championship. Permian has been waiting for this meet all season long.

"It's in reach now," Martinez said. "We feel like we can win state this year."

For this weekend, Permian's goal is simple.

Add another banner to the wall.