Two weeks into the season, the Lindbergh gymnasts started to lose hope. They had no coach and couldn’t do anything more at practice than conditioning.

PE teacher Jeff Stuart acted as the team’s adviser so the group could condition until the school found a coach. Still, without a qualified coach the girls couldn’t even get the gymnastics equipment out.

Time was getting short, the team needed 18 official practices to compete in the first meet Dec. 2 at Evergreen. Then, just at the last moment, the school was able to find a coach.

Raquel Murray was the head coach at Mount Rainier last season and, despite the fact she’s 22, has years of coaching experience.

“It was such a miracle to have Raquel come in the way she did,” said Jami Kouba, a junior gymnast.

Even after finding a coach, it hasn’t been easy for the Eagles this season. They have just six gymnasts and precious little experience. Not to mention the fact they don’t have enough practice space for a full floor routine.

But the team still has a great attitude.

“Things started off a little rocky,” Murray said. “But the girls have been working really really hard. They wanted it and it is nice to coach them.”

After losing their coach and two best gymnasts from last season, there hasn’t been room for error with the Eagles.

“We have to give it all or we lose it,” Kouba said. “There’s no time for slacking. … We’re two weeks behind the other teams.”

So after the last-minute rescue this season, will Murray stay on next year?

“I’ve grown such a strong relationship with the girls that I don’t think I could leave them,” she said. “I love working with them.”