Odessa, TX – With hopes of high school sports returning to the spotlight, Permian’s girls gymnastics program will see a new coach at the helm. Yes, a new head coach, but not an unfamiliar face to the PHS campus. A Mojo graduate of 2015, Casey Werner will be making her head coaching debut this Fall.
Coach Werner is definitely no stranger to the tumblings of gymnastics. Starting at the ripe age of three-years-old, her passion and joy has lasted beyond childhood. Werner started the competitive program at the age of six, and she continued her gymnastics career through the freshman year of college.
According to the new Mojo coach, “I had a big decision to make my eighth grade year. That decision was to either stay in the Midland school district or transfer to Permian to continue my passion… gymnastics. While being a little nervous to move to a new school district, I was thrilled to get to continue competing in gymnastics. It ended up being a great transition, and I felt very welcomed from the minute I switched schools.” Werner continues, “The four years I had as a Permian gymnast were my best four years of my gymnastics career.”
The accolades of an impressive resume include:
- Sophomore Year (2012-2013):
• 8th place on Vault at State
• Elite All-American (Vault)
• All-American (Bars, Beam, Floor, All-around)
• Second Team All State- Vault
- Junior Year (2013-2014):
• Elite All-American (Vault, Floor)
• All-American (Bars, Beam , All-Around)
- Senior Year (2014-2015):
• Dual Sport Athlete of the Year
• 2015 Texas High School Gymnastics Nationals Team Member
• Elite All-American (Vault, Floor)
• All-American (Bars, Beam , All-Around)
After graduating from Permian, Werner attended Texas Tech for three years pursuing a degree in Kinesiology. She also competed on the Texas Tech Club Gymnastics team. After completing the first year, she decided to retire from competing. With the love of the sport still in her heart, she immediately transitioned into wanting to pass the knowledge down through coaching. Werner transferred to Tarleton State University her fourth year of collegiate study to complete her Kinesiology degree. This spring semester, she interned with Permian Gymnastics under Brandi Simmons, until the coronavirus pandemic abruptly halted school sports.
As the new head coach, Werner hopes to impact student athletes’ lives – just as her’s was. She explains, “I look forward to helping the student athletes succeed, both in the classroom and in the gym. I would also like to continue all the traditions of the Permian Gymnastics program and helping motivate athletes to become better everyday.”
When asked about some of the influences and mentors that inspired her, Werner was quick to ask how many she could mention. “My main mentors have been Brandi Simmons, my parents, Todd Vesely, Harold Green, and Martha Mitchell. They all have made a huge impact on my life not only in gymnastics, but in life in general. My parents were my mentors by always being there to help me no matter what was going on. Brandi Simmons, wow, I could go on forever why she was a big mentor for inspiring me to come back to the Permian program. She had a big impact on my life. She was an amazing coach that helped inside and outside the gym, and continued to support me after graduating. Brandi has helped me tremendously to getting where I am today. She inspired me to want to come back and impact children lives just like she did for me.”
Werner continued, “Harold Green and Martha Mitchell are two more major mentors that inspired me to come back to the Permian program to coach. The dedication and love Harold and Martha have not only for Permian but for gymnastics inspires me a lot. They are another reason I strive to dedicate my time to help continue the success of the Permian Gymnastics program.” She also gives props to former ECISD athletic director Vesely, “When I was an athlete, he would come in on random days to give motivational and inspirational talks. That, to me, showed a lot of support he had for gymnastics. Not only did he give amazing speeches, he expressed greatly how special it is being apart of an amazing sport. Therefore, I honestly can say his words of inspiration and motivation made me want to become apart of this program again and help continue the success in the program.”
As we have high hope for things to return to some kind of normal, we are looking forward to seeing the Black-N-White back on the mats… and seeing Casey Werner back in the Permian Gymnasium at the helm.
terry@permiansports.com | Follow us on Twitter / Facebook: @PermianSports