MONTGOMERY: MHS grad coaching Cougars

Williams taking gymnastics reins

By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
   Ashley Williams is no stranger to the Montgomery High School gymnastics program.
   And now she’ll get a chance to lead the program that has meant so much to her since her early days competing in the sport.
   Williams, a former Cougar gymnast who served as an assistant coach in the program last year, is taking over as the head coach for veteran leader Johanna Snedeker.
   ”It is a very exciting and unique experience,” said Williams, a 2009 MHS graduate. “I was on the team at Montgomery and after I graduated I went to college for teaching. I knew I wanted to come back after college. I looked for jobs around here and got a leave replacement position in Montgomery last year. I was able to coach with Johanna and Katie Selby and now this year I have a full time position at Montgomery High.
   ”Johanna has slowly been saying she wants to cut back on her coaching and this was a great opportunity. Gymnastics is such a personal sport between coaches and athletes.”
   Williams was a former captain while competing for Snedeker and the Cougars. She’ll bring much of what she learned from her former coach as she takes over the lead role in the program.
   ”There will definitely be a lot of how she ran it,” Williams said. “I grew up under her coaching the team and I learned a lot from how she coached. I also learned a lot last year with her style and techniques and how she likes the team to run. I know how much everyone enjoyed being on the team when she was coaching and I want to keep that kind of atmosphere around the team.”
   Snedeker will still be a presence for the program as she will be the site manager when Montgomery hosts its big events like the Somerset County and Skyland Conference meets. And Williams also has a strong group of coaches with her as she begins her first year.
   ”Katie is back and we have two volunteer coaches who give so much to the program with Liz Snedeker and Danielle Mitko,” said Williams, who will teach math at Montgomery High.
   Williams was part of some very successful teams while competing for Montgomery. She’ll look to build off of last season, which was another strong one for the Cougars.
   ”One of the big things with gymnastics is so many girls start young and it takes a toll on your body,” she said. “I had some injuries in high school. My junior and senior years I only did two of the four events because of injuries. But I used my time when I wasn’t competing trying to help some of the young girls on the team.
   ”I am excited and ready to go this year. I know all of the girls from last year except we have one freshman that came up. Everyone else I knew from the team last year.”
   And as they have in the past, the Cougars will continue to host big meets. In addition to the county and conference meets, Montgomery will be the site of the state team and individual competitions.
   ”My graduating class was the first class that went all four years in the new high school,” Williams recalled. “We started hosting major tournaments when we moved to the new high school. It is a lot of work but something the girls take a lot of pride in doing. We have a great facility and it is nice to show it off.”
   The Cougars will open the season on Tuesday at Somerville.