A visit with WPIAL champion coach Amy Caprino

Background Info: Amy Caprino is in her 39th season as Moon High School's gymnastics coach. She has led the Tigers to six WPIAL team titles (2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018) and eight PA Classic titles (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) since making her debut in 1980. She has served as chairman of the WPIAL's gymnastics committee for more than 20 years.

Amy Caprino's first experience in the sport of gymnastics
"I graduated from Rochester High School in 1972. I was on the gymnastics team as a freshman and sophomore. I was just an average gymnast. I wanted to be a cheerleader in my junior year and I was told I could not do both at the same time. So I picked cheerleading for my junior and senior years."

Caprino's experience as a WPIAL & PA Classic champion coach
"According to WPIAL records we have won six WPIAL title. We actually have seven years listed on championship banners in our gym. In 1994, North Allegheny won the WPIAL title and we placed second. At the PIAA tournament, they awarded separate titles for the Advanced Division and the Intermediate Division. My athletic director felt the WPIAL should have awarded two titles, so he designated us as WPIAL champions that year. I certainly wasn't going to disgree with him. What matters is that the girls deserved to be recognized. I am a firm believer in the team aspect of this sport. Everybody must contribute to win a WPIAL or PA Classic title. In 2009, we won the PA Classic team title by .001. In 2008, we won by .35. It's very important to have everybody contribute."

Caprino's fight to keep gymnastics as a WPIAL sanctioned sport
"In 1980 when I started coaching, the WPIAL had 27 teams. Prior to that, they had as many as 35 schools participating. The WPIAL and PIAA even had boys gymnastics. Over the years, we've struggled to keep the sport viable. It hurt when the PIAA discontinued its sponsorship of gymnastics after the 1993-94 season. When that happened, I started the PA Classic to keep the state championships alive. We've had ups and downs over the years. We had a low of four teams in the WPIAL several years ago, but have since increased the number of participating schools to 14. And we have a couple schools who are considering adding a program. At the state level, we have less than 30 school participating."

Quotes from WPIAL Executive Secretary Tim O'Malley
"Amy Caprino is WPIAL gymnastics. If not for her, the WPIAL would not be undertaking its sponsorship of the sport. She is the reason girls have the opportunity to compete in gymnastics. Her passion and committment is the sole reason why gymnastics is still a WPIAL sport. I've known Amy since she started Moon's program in 1980. Under her leadership, Moon's program has grown to be one of the best programs in the WPIAL."