A Covington track and field athlete signs with Ohio State for gymnastics

Covington senior Kerrington Baham started her love of gymnastics when she was 7, and she doesn’t plan to stop any time soon.

Baham recently signed with Ohio State for gymnastics, while fellow Covington senior Mikayla Berry signed to play Division III volleyball for SUNY Morrisville in upstate New York.

Baham was born in Mason, Ohio, but her parents moved to St. Tammany Parish when she was eight months old.

“Maybe when I was in third or fourth grade, finding out I was born in Ohio, I started having a fascination with the state. Before deciding on a college and what sport, I had made some Instagram posts before reaching out to Ohio State, and they followed my posts. That resulted in my official visit in February,” Baham said.

“I got to watch the gymnastics team practice and met with the team. About a week after I returned home, Ohio State offered me a scholarship.”

Baham took up dance at age six and started competing in gymnastics the following year, joining Northshore Gymnastics in Mandeville. She’s a member of the Flairs.

Baham continued to excel at gymnastics, becoming a state champion in the floor exercise in 2023 and the vault in 2022.

“My favorite event is the floor exercise,” Baham said. “It’s my go-to event. I consider myself a powerful gymnast, where others may be considered more graceful. I also like the vault.” 

Baham also excelled in track and field, lettering all four years at Covington and receiving several Division I offers. As a junior, she won the triple jump and earned a runner-up finish in the long jump at the state meet. She qualified in both events again this year but decided not to compete as she focuses on a future gymnastics career.

Berry was also a multisport athlete, but her volleyball hustle drew the interest of SUNY Morrisville coach Fred Wallace.

“Coach Wallace said he liked my effort on video, so he contacted me, offering me a spot, saying I’m the first person he’s recruited from the South,” Berry said. “I’m so excited to become part of the program. They’re graduating some seniors, so this is an important recruiting class. Coach has set up group chats for the new players to get to know each other before arriving on campus, which has been fun.”

Lions’ first-year coach Brennon Coker said Berry showed her leadership by stepping into whatever position the team needed.

“Unfortunately, Mikayla missed a large part of her senior season with injuries,” Coker said. “She really bought into my coaching philosophy and helped take some of the younger players under her wing. She’s a good overall leader who handles everything in a positive manner.”

Berry said she’s ready for the challenge of college volleyball. 

“I have always loved volleyball,” Berry said. “Six payers on the court playing together trying to achieve success is special. You must rely on your defense, the setter and the bench as a support system. It’s like being a member of one giant family. I’ll push myself, striving to continue working hard so I can have more special moments with my new college teammates.”