Gymnasts Sutton and Gradee Van Gilder share one final season together

The sisters are two of eight gymnasts competing for the Blue Jays this winter.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Sutton Van Gilder convinced her younger sister Gradee to return to gymnastics for Sutton's senior season, and the two are now competing together on the Blue Jays varsity roster. Sutton is ranked sixth in the state in the all-around, while Gradee has made significant improvements and is ranked in the top 35 in the state in several events.

Why it matters

The Van Gilder sisters' story highlights the special bond between siblings and the positive impact they can have on each other's athletic development. Their final season together is a bittersweet moment, as Sutton's high school gymnastics career comes to an end.

The details

Sutton, the older sister, used her persuasive skills to convince Gradee to return to gymnastics after Gradee took a year off to be on the dance team. Gradee, who started competing in gymnastics at age 3, is now in her first year on the Blue Jays varsity roster. Sutton is ranked sixth in the state in the all-around, while Gradee has improved significantly and is ranked in the top 35 in the state in several events, including vault, floor, and uneven bars.

  • Gradee began competing in gymnastics at age 3.
  • This season marks Gradee's first year on the Blue Jay varsity roster.

The players

Sutton Van Gilder

A senior gymnast competing for the Blue Jays, ranked sixth in the state in the all-around.

Gradee Van Gilder

Sutton's younger sister, in her first year on the Blue Jays varsity roster, has made significant improvements and is ranked in the top 35 in the state in several events.

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What they’re saying

“My sister took a year off gymnastics and was on the dance team (but), I wanted to have one gymnastics season with her, and I knew that I could definitely convince her to come back to gymnastics for my senior year.”

— Sutton Van Gilder (yahoo.com)

“Gradee has always motivated me to be better. From a young age, she always would try new skills, which would then make her almost begin to catch up to me. One thing about Gradee is that she always is caught taking lots of turns. Oftentimes, our coaches have to tell her to stop, as she is so determined to perfect all of her skills.”

— Sutton Van Gilder (yahoo.com)

“I set goals to get new skills that would increase the difficulty in my routines at the start of the year. My first competition I was a bit nervous but I then realized that it doesn't matter how I did as long as I was proud of myself and tried my hardest.”

— Gradee Van Gilder (yahoo.com)

The takeaway

The Van Gilder sisters' story is a heartwarming example of the special bond between siblings and the positive impact they can have on each other's athletic development. Their final season competing together is a bittersweet moment, as Sutton's high school gymnastics career comes to an end, but it's clear the sisters have pushed each other to new heights and will cherish this shared experience.