Gymnasts Draw Olympic Inspiration 7/11/12
By: Scott Leber
Updated: July 11, 2012
Rockford, Illinois-The grace and strength of Olympic Gymnasts leaves many people in awe. At one time these Olympians were little girls in training, much like the ones we see at the Gymnastics Academy of Rockford. And the little ones look up to the Olympic stars. They all have their favorites.
"I like Nastia," said Anaka Benink.
"My favorite is Dominic Dawes," said Pheron Givens-Webb.
Becoming an Olympic gymnast is a long-shot for any little girl. But these girls and others like them can strive to be their best on the bars, the beam, and the floor. They may spend 20 to 30 hours a week or more in training.
"This is like a second home for me," said 15 year old Megan Hultgren. "I'm here practically all the time."
"I'm here 30 hours a week," said 17 year old Sally Cooper. "This is what I love."
The Gymnastics Academy of Rockford has almost 900 little gymnasts of all levels showing just how popular the sport is.
"I think gymnastics is popular," said GAR Coach Lori Aamodt. "I think that the fact it's an Olympic year makes it even more popular. I think everybody loves to watch gymnastics."
Top gymnasts start at an early age.
"My parents put me in because they saw me doing headstands and everything," said 12 year old Annalie Roecker. "So they figure why not sign me up for gymnastics. I started when I was three."
"You have to start by age five or six. Age matters," said Aamodt.
The trophies and medals the gymnasts earn are great. And the friendships they make are great too. But there is something more that they can gain from all of these hours they devote to the sport.
"I love the teammates and how my life lessons it gives you," said Cooper. "If you fall you have to keep pushing through."
"You learn a lot about life," said Benink.
"We do teach life lessons through the sport of gymnastics," said Aamodt. "When it gets tough they have to stick it out. I think gymnastics is the most amazing sport for young kids because it is so good for your coordination. If you can do gymnastics you can do about anything because it's a tough sport."
So whether they one day make the Olympics or not, young gymnasts have much to gain if they're simply willing to give it a shot.
"It's a lot of fun and a lot of dedication. But if you really want to do it and if you believe in yourself that you can," said Benink.
"I like Nastia," said Anaka Benink.
"My favorite is Dominic Dawes," said Pheron Givens-Webb.
Becoming an Olympic gymnast is a long-shot for any little girl. But these girls and others like them can strive to be their best on the bars, the beam, and the floor. They may spend 20 to 30 hours a week or more in training.
"This is like a second home for me," said 15 year old Megan Hultgren. "I'm here practically all the time."
"I'm here 30 hours a week," said 17 year old Sally Cooper. "This is what I love."
The Gymnastics Academy of Rockford has almost 900 little gymnasts of all levels showing just how popular the sport is.
"I think gymnastics is popular," said GAR Coach Lori Aamodt. "I think that the fact it's an Olympic year makes it even more popular. I think everybody loves to watch gymnastics."
Top gymnasts start at an early age.
"My parents put me in because they saw me doing headstands and everything," said 12 year old Annalie Roecker. "So they figure why not sign me up for gymnastics. I started when I was three."
"You have to start by age five or six. Age matters," said Aamodt.
The trophies and medals the gymnasts earn are great. And the friendships they make are great too. But there is something more that they can gain from all of these hours they devote to the sport.
"I love the teammates and how my life lessons it gives you," said Cooper. "If you fall you have to keep pushing through."
"You learn a lot about life," said Benink.
"We do teach life lessons through the sport of gymnastics," said Aamodt. "When it gets tough they have to stick it out. I think gymnastics is the most amazing sport for young kids because it is so good for your coordination. If you can do gymnastics you can do about anything because it's a tough sport."
So whether they one day make the Olympics or not, young gymnasts have much to gain if they're simply willing to give it a shot.
"It's a lot of fun and a lot of dedication. But if you really want to do it and if you believe in yourself that you can," said Benink.
