Pair of LC seniors offer balance of leadership

Christy Baker and Natalie Skaer are the classic example of opposites harmonizing.

As the Lewis and Clark High School senior gymnast co-captains lead their Tiger squad into Friday's district competition, they do so in a manner as diametrically opposed as yin and yang.

"They're a great pair, really," said their coach, Jackie Fulton.

"I call Natalie our quiet strength of our team. She's real consistent, a mother hen.

"Christy is just the opposite. She is the motivator and spirit, and put together (with Natalie), it's just perfect. "They're both just so nice. You never hear anything mean about either one of them.

"They really help the girls come out of their shell and help them do things without any fear.

"They keep things one big happy family."

It's a relationship that started in the fourth grade while the two were in club gymnastics at the local YMCA.

"We knew each other through club in elementary school," said Baker. "She started earlier than I did. She was so nice. I always remember that.

"She's very helpful and so much fun to hang out with. Our whole club team had so much fun."

"We went to the same junior high, so we've known each other for quite a while now.

"We get along so well. We complement each other.

"Out of the two of us, she'd be more serious. We have so much fun together.

"She totally inspires me to work harder, and I do the same."

For both Baker and Skaer, their early interest in gymnastics came out of watching American gymnasts like Kerri Strug at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics.

"I think I was watching the Olympics and I wanted to be like the gymnasts, so I started down at the Y (YMCA)," said Skaer.

"I remember watching them on TV, and I saw her (Kerri) and the things they would do totally inspired me," Baker said.

"I said that I wanted to be able to do that.

"I remember going back to gymnastics that year and saying, `Oh, my gosh, Mom, I just have to be able to do this.' I just thought it was the coolest thing ever."

While the Tigers have struggled with team wins this GSL season, the two have been able to have their most successful seasons.

"They both have surpassed their high scores on every event this year," Fulton said.

"I'm actually pretty pleased with this year individually," said Skaer, who plans on attending Washington State University next year.

"I wish we had done better as a team, but we lost two of our best gymnasts, so it's understandable.

"I have high hopes for the district."

"It's going really well for me," said Baker, who will go to either Western Washington University or the University of Idaho next year.

"I've definitely done a lot better than I ever could have expected this year.

"We've had disappointments (as a team), but individually we're all doing very well.

"For me, I've met all my goals that I've had so far this year.

"My all-around score is definitely better than I expected to do. I hope to keep meeting them at districts."

For their coach, watching the two develop over the past three seasons has perhaps outweighed losing her two captains next season.

"As far as Natalie is concerned, it's her coming out of her shell," said Fulton.

"It's exciting to see the competitiveness come out of her and to see a little excitement and her pride and to see her enjoying the sport because she is such a shy, quiet person."

"With Christy, just adding the events. We added four in the vault last year, and just having her compete in the vaults as a varsity all- arounder has been really great for her."

For both Baker and Skaer, their careers as Tigers may be winding down, but the memories of their days at LC will live on.

"I had such a blast my sophomore year, and I've just continued doing it every year," said Baker. "I've had so much fun doing it.

"It comes kind of natural to me.

It seemed to fit when I was younger. I enjoyed doing it then, and I enjoy it now.

"It's kind of sad, this being our last year together. Next year, we won't be together anymore.

"It'll be weird for me," Baker said.

"The whole time has been real memorable," Skaer said.

Copyright 2004 Cowles Publishing Company
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