The Downers Grove gymnastics team is doubling the fun this year with the addition of freshman DGN twins Avery and Stella Perrone. Matching genetics does not mean matching gymnastics – both girls have their own sets of skills and unique traits they bring to the team.
Although the girls are on the same team, gymnastics is mainly an individual sport, meaning Avery and Stella go up against each other at their meets. They describe that even though they may be competitors, it is nice to have a built-in best friend alongside them who understands the struggles and the achievements.
“There are definitely pros and cons. It’s hard to see one of us do bad and one of us do good and then the outcome of that, but overall it’s pretty fun because you can always talk to her and you always have someone by your side,” Avery Perrone said.
Stella Perrone built off that idea.
“If one of us gets a new skill or something, we are just happy for each other and proud,” Stella Perrone said.
The same feeling goes for their mother, Anne Perrone, who expresses excitement about watching her two daughters do what they love alongside each other.
“Having daughters competing in the same sport is such a joy to watch as a parent. I don’t see them as competing against each other—just two athletes giving their best in a sport they love. I love watching how their sisterhood shows up in their gymnastics – they encourage each other in a way only sisters can,” Anne Perrone said.
After 10 years of club gymnastics at Premier Gymnastics in Downers Grove, the twins decided to make the switch for their first year of eligibility on the co-op high school team, despite competing at the U.S.A. Gymnastics, USAG, level nine.
“It was kind of like a one-day switch. We were really set on [continuing] doing club, but… we just didn’t really enjoy it there anymore. We kind of just sat down and talked about it and realized it might be for the better to switch to high school – we kinda made a decision quicker than we would have expected to,” Avery Perrone said.
Ever since that decision, the girls have not looked back.
“The coaching is a lot better, they are more supportive and they help your mentality a lot. All the girls are really supportive and they help cheer you on. The upperclassmen are good mentors and stuff like that – they’re all really nice and funny,” Stella Perrone said.
With bright futures ahead, the twins have individual goals for their inaugural season with the high school team.
“My goal is to be more confident and do the best I can and do good for my team,” Stella Perrone said.
Her sister added on to their shared goal of living up to their full potential.
“My goals are to just try to be the best I can be and take intentional turns and make sure I practice and go out to my meet feeling ready,” Avery Perrone said.