KNBN NewsCenter1
February 15, 2021
Pam Junek received the South Dakota Gymnastics Coaches Association Hall of Fame award.
Junek started coaching gymnastics at the YMCA in 1980.
She was also the owner and operator of Rising Star Gymnastics for 12 years.
Junek recentley wrapped up her 13th season as head coach of the Rapid City Central and Stevens gymnastics teams.
During the past 13 years, the Central Cobblers have won two state gymnastics titles and two runner-up titles, and Stevens finished runner-up at state once.
Coach Junek says she’s honored to receive the hall of fame award.
“One of the perks of winning this award is when it went on Facebook, then I had former gymnasts from many years ago that have reached out,” Pam Junek said. “So its fun to see them as adults and being parents. Now their kids are all starting in gymnastics. So that part is really exciting to see that.”
After Ciara Sievekeâs family opted for distance learning this semester due to COVID-19, the Rapid City Central junior spent most of her days at home, away from fellow students.
It wasnât until gymnastics season got underway, following a delayed start, that she was allowed to reconvene with some of her classmates during practices at Rapid City High School as extra safety protocols were established. Â
With extended time off and less preparation than in years past, Sieveke has added difficulties to her routines as she and her fellow members of the Central and Rapid City Stevens gymnastics teams prepare for a different format Saturday at their season opening meet.Â