The Bryan Vikings' gymnastics team has never been afraid to set the bar high.

Their stated goal -- this year and every year -- is to win a state championship. This season, however, is their last chance.

Seniors Stefan Quartemont and Alex Reyes will wear navy and white for the final time at a regional meet when they lead the Vikings in competition Thursday and Friday at A&M Consolidated High School.

A transition that began this season, with Rudder and Bryan both fielding teams, is nearing a new era for gymnastics in the Bryan school district. After this year, all gymnasts will compete for Rudder.

Last season the Bryan Vikings won the state gymnastics title, and both Quartemont and Reyes are keenly aware of the challenge, and the opportunity, that has been handed to the four-year lettermen.

"There's a lot of pressure to make sure we go out with a big bang," Reyes admits. "We want to make sure we finish strong and know that the gymnastics program the whole time has been good. Last year was amazing, one of the most exciting experiences of my life."

The move to Rudder has given them a new workout facility, departing the upstairs gym at Bryan High for a new, brighter home.

"It's nice to have a meet without moving the equipment up and down the stairs," admits Fletcher. "It's just that you have a tradition."

"It's always the goal, to be No. 1," said Reyes. "Being a senior, I've worked pretty hard to have that leadership goal, but I think I'm doing pretty good at it."

His coach agrees.

"Alex is one of the hardest-working kids I've ever seen," explained Fletcher. "Even when he is hurt, we will work out. He's fighting an injury now where he fell on pommel horse, but he doesn't let up."

Reyes has a background in boxing and Fletcher believes that has helped him in gymnastics.

"He is truly a fighter," said the Vikings' coach. "He walked in as a ninth-grader because his cousin was on the team. He's just naturally talented. You put a little bit of talent with a hard-working attitude and you can't beat that."

His work ethic bleeds over to his team, and he is anxious to help teammates to succeed.

"If one of the coaches is busy, I'll go to them and say 'Hey, you're bending your knees on this' or 'Try to do this,'" said Reyes, a finalist in rings at state in 2008. "I cheer for them when they're working out. If I see an improvement, I'll say 'Hey man, good job.'"

Quartemont is also quick to address his teammates.

"Stefan is as sharp as a tack," Fletcher said. "He's vocal during team meetings. He is a take-charge guy and every team needs a guy like that."

"It's not an easy sport," said Quartemont as he gets attended by a trainer. "I had a nice ankle injury a couple of months ago and tore a few ligaments, so I've got to keep it taped for the rest of the year. You get little muscle tears, wrist sprains, ankle sprains. If you're healthy for a day, that's lucky."

"I think most of the guys have something, either backs, ankles or rips," Reyes added. "Rips on your hand when you get your skin pulled off. That's not fun."

It helps to have a goal to drive you. The Vikings still have that.

"It's two to three weeks before state, so you've got to push through it," said Quartemont. "Mind over matter."

"I'm motivated to keep going," Reyes said. "Hopefully, I'm rings champion this year. I've got a good chance of that."

That is their sport, and both are proud of the challenge, which makes the idea of repeating as state champion less daunting.

"It strains your mind as well as your body," said Quartemont. "Ever since I was a freshman, they have talked about winning it. My sophomore year was the strongest, with the most depth and talent of any of these four years. We ended up .7 short. Out of 330 points, we were seven-tenths short of a victory."

He and his Viking teammates learned to count on nothing, and to appreciate their success.

"We worked so hard, always focused on being first place," Quartemont said. "Everything had to be perfect. We built each other up and critiqued each other. We got to the state meet and we did our perfect gymnastics. We felt good to be at maximum potential and it was excitement and happiness and just overwhelming."

Before they can focus on the challenge of state, the Vikings need to perform well this week. Compulsories are Thursday and optional routines are set for Friday at Tiger Gym.

"I guess there's some pressure to really put Bryan in the record books, because that's all it's going to be from now on," Quartemont said. "We definitely have the potential to win another state meet."

Quartemont's best events are the pommel horse and high bar.

"I have a slight advantage being tall," said Quartemont, a half-inch over 6-feet tall. "You have more leverage and distance from the equipment. You look good doing it."

At that height, his feet can scrape the floor on the rings and high bar.

"It's more difficult on the floor [exercise] and vault, because you're longer in your strides and tumbling, so you have to squeeze it all in."

Now, they try to squeeze in one final moment of glory in the name of the Vikings.

"Defending the championship is a big deal," Reyes said. "There are some teams out there who have the ability to beat us."

"Bryan High has had a very strong gymnastics legacy and it's sad to see it come to an end, but it's also a new start," said Quartemont. "A new gym, new gymnasts. It's exciting, but sad."

Reyes agrees. He will be back to see the future gymnasts but he will return as a Bryan Viking.

"I'm a Viking gymnast at heart," Reyes said.

The split of teams may have cost depth and made the Vikings chances of repeating more difficult. Yet, in a season that is the last hurrah for Viking gymnastics, the expectations remain high.

"Being a state champion, you don't accept defeat," Quartemont said. "It's in our nature to win."