Olympic athleticism runs in the Weiss family. Olympic gymnast Greg Weiss competed in 1964 in Japan, and was recently elected into the Gymnastic Hall of Fame. 34 years later, son Michael made his first US Olympic team (also Japan, 1998 Nagano). Michael made yet another team, 2002 in Salt Lake City. His sport, however, is figure skating; but gymnastics is "in his blood," as he has always gone "outside the box" to make skating as gymnastically-athletic as he can. Doing the only "quad lutz" ever and helping to transform skating into the "quad" era, Michael now skates professionally with Smucker's "Stars on Ice" Tour.
Included in his programs are back flips on the ice, kip ups, rolls, headstands, and a one-arm handstand! (Yes, on the ice!) Michael is also giving back to young athletes through the Michael Weiss Foundation -- a non-profit organization that gives scholarships to up-and-coming US athletes. Proceeds raised by his skating show, "US & World Figure Skating Champions Live," in addition to funds raised during a silent auction held in conjunction with the live show, benefit today's aspiring athletes.
Eight-year-old Derek is a multi-sport athlete who plays baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball and gymnastics. He was named to an all-star team in baseball and a select travel team in hockey, and is the leading scorer on his basketball team. Despite all of his success in sports, Derek still has to deal with a mysterious muscle disorder that doctors have been unable to diagnose. To help with his illness, he goes to physical therapy four times a week and takes recreational gymnastics classes at the Greater Buffalo Gymnastics & Fitness Center. Derek’s mother says gymnastics has increased his strength, flexibility and self-confidence. For his athletic accomplishments and enthusiasm to help others, Derek was named Sports Illustrated for Kids’ 2008 SportsKid of the Year.
David Kruse began his 17-year gymnastics career at age 8, achieving the level of Men's Artistic Senior National Team. "In my childhood, gymnastics laid a foundation for hard work, discipline, self-motivation, and focus, as well as created a base for physical fitness and health later in life. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to apply the early lessons I learned from the sport to a career as a collegiate gymnast, earning a college degree along the way. My achievements in the sport, small (Cartwheel-a-thon champion, age 9) and large (US Senior National Team Member), gave me the confidence that with hard work you can achieve your goals. My experience as a gymnast and my love for the sciences has led me to a career in sports medicine. I apply on a daily basis, those values of discipline and hard work which I learned from the sport of gymnastics, as well as my experience as a former high level athlete, to the care of my patients."
Starting gymnastics at the age of 3, Kerri became the youngest American on the Olympic squad in 1992, where she earned a bronze medal in the Barcelona Olympics. She was a three-time World Championship medalist and member of five World Championship teams since 1991. She earned her BA in Communications and an MA in Sociology from Stanford University.
Despite her busy schedule, Kerri volunteers her time and energy to a variety of charitable causes. Kerri has served as a spokesperson for the Special Olympics and the Children’s Miracle Network. The Women’s Sports Foundation presented Strug with the Reebok/Lady Foot Locker Giving Back Award in recognition of her community efforts. Although no longer in competitive gymnastics, she maintains involvement in the gymnastic community through work with parents, kids, and coaches throughout the country at various gymnastic camps and clubs.
An author of two books, Kerri reaches out to others who can be inspired by her determination both inside and outside the gym. Heart of Gold targets younger readers who can learn of Kerri’s ups and downs as a young gymnast. Her autobiography, Landing on my Feet: A Diary of Dreams, focuses on the hard work and commitment that led to her heroic Olympic performance.
She is currently a Program Manager at the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in Washington, D.C. “I transitioned the traits I learned through my gymnastics training—dedication, perseverance and commitment—into my academics, and current career.”
Tyler started gymnastics at age 10, after seeing a friend of his do a series of back handsprings in the sand at gym class. He went to a local gym and progressed quickly, because he loved it so much. He made it to the Elite level, and this led to a scholarship at the University of Iowa, as well as training for the Olympics. After college he worked for a Cirque-style show, moved back to Florida, and auditioned for the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular show in Orlando. Doing this for 2 years, he learned all the basics of how to be a stunt man. Stunt fights, falls, being around explosions and fire. It was a great experience, and he learned a lot.
“Many stunt coordinators really like it when you say you’re a gymnast, because they know you are versatile in your abilities. Gymnastics helped me get my foot in the door. I have been working as a stuntman and actor for about 9 years; I have been in over 75 television episodes and movies combined. I am living my dream of being a stuntman and I owe it all to gymnastics.”
Michelle started gymnastics at the age of 5, and did gymnastics for 13 years. She coached gymnastics and served as an athlete representative over the span of about 12 years. She was a 1984 Olympic team member and a silver team medalist from the ‘84 Games, and followed the path to become a dietitian and to take on community projects because of her experience in sport.
“Sports nutrition information was very hard to find in the 1980’s for any sport, let alone gymnastics. I felt that my experience as an athlete would be an asset to providing this type of service. Beyond being a dietitian, I’m also currently working with our local community to help build a fully accessible playground for kids with disabilities. Having been an athlete and knowing the importance of physical activity, I think this is an extremely critical message to every community that kids with disabilities are in just as much need for physical activity and play as any child. However, they have little to no option for play that is accessible to them. This playground will help to change that, and I feel that my gymnastics experience and having been an elite athlete helps to convey the message that physical activity is a fundamental right for every child to have.”
Kailey Willhelm was born eight weeks premature and weighed just 3 lbs., 5 oz. During the first few years of her life, she developed well mentally, but had some physical problems. She still was not running at age 4, so her pediatrician recommended that her parents put her in a gymnastics class to improve her gross motor skills.
At her gym in Connersville, Ind., Kailey ran after just a few months then performed her first back handspring in less than one year. Now 17 years old and in her 11th year at Gymnastics Unlimited in Indianapolis, Ind., Kailey is a Level 9 gymnast and a Level 3 coach. Gymnastics helped Kailey go from preemie to powerhouse!
Elisabeth was diagnosed with albinism when she was 4 months old. Because of the visual challenges that are part of this condition, the ophthalmologist told her parents that she would probably become legally blind and be delayed in gross-motor development. When she was 4 years old, Elisabeth began a recreational program at Infinite Gymnastics Academy in Brown Deer, Wis., to become more comfortable moving around. With her coach’s patience and guidance, Elisabeth progressed through the rec program and made the competitive team. Now 10 years old and competing at Level 4, she finished ninth on the uneven bars at the 2008 state meet. The little 4 year-old girl who could not even navigate a floor beam now competes all four events, including the balance beam!
Sisters Leah and Casey Sabo began gymnastics when they were 7 and 5 years old, respectively, and quickly progressed into competitive gymnastics. They had great experiences traveling and developed friendships that will last a lifetime. Leah earned a full gymnastics scholarship to North Carolina State and is now a coach. Casey joined Cirque du Soleil out of high school and traveled the world for more than four years, and now performs in the show LaReve in Las Vegas.
In gymnastics, Leah and Casey learned skills that will last a lifetime, such as patience, persistence, discipline and leadership. They developed and maintain physically fit bodies that will help them lead healthy lives for years to come.
Abby has always been shy, but never had to speak much because her outgoing twin sister, Emily, would talk for both of them. Abby loved gymnastics and joined the acrobatic gymnastics team when she was five years old. She began as a top in a women’s pair in the 11 and younger age group, and her partner was a nice, veteran gymnast. Abby still barely spoke more than three words at a time, but she worked hard and improved quickly. At her first meet, in a giant convention center hall, she amazed her parents with her incredible poise and confidence on the floor. The most profound impact, however, was how her acro experience carried over into other parts of her life. Now in kindergarten, Abby was excited to bring her acro medals to school and even spoke in front of her class for show and tell! She also surprised everyone when she performed in front of the whole school at the talent show.
In 1995, twin brothers Ryan and Eric were born seven weeks early. Ryan, the smaller child at 2 lb. 15 oz., needed hernia surgery and then developed an upper respiratory infection when he was 6 months old. These setbacks slowed his development. At age 2, he was still trying to take his first steps. The boys’ pediatrician recommended a gymnastics class for both Ryan and Eric to help with their balance and motor skills. Soon they were running and climbing, and by age 3, riding their bikes without training wheels.
Ryan and Eric still take occasional gymnastics classes to help with conditioning for their travel baseball teams. In addition to the physical benefits, both boys have learned to take instruction and make corrections, which have made them more coachable on the baseball field.
Sara has been involved in gymnastics for 20 years, first as an athlete, then as a coach and now as a judge. Because of the hours she spent in the gym and at school, Sara was forced to balance not only on the beam, but also in the classroom. Gymnastics taught her patience, independence, teamwork, and organizational and social skills.
Sara also learned math by doing such things as counts of eight, sets of 10, counting deductions and averaging scores. Now an auditor for a major accounting firm, Sara credits gymnastics for teaching her lifelong skills that she relies on every single day.
Erin, an 8-year-old Level 5 gymnast at Will-Moor School of Gymnastics in Mt. Laurel, N.J., was diagnosed with a rare bone disease called Progressive Osseous Heteroplasia (POH) in February 2008. POH, which has only approximately 70 diagnosed cases in the world, causes Erin to have extra bone in every major joint in her body. A gymnast since age 2, Erin remains in gymnastics because her doctor believes the extra strength and flexibility taught in gymnastics has helped keep her moving. The Fennells held their first fundraiser in October 2008 and have raised approximately $36,000 for research!
Kelsey, a 21-year old senior at Virginia Tech, trained in gymnastics for 11 years. Because of gymnastics, she was always the strongest girl, and sometimes the strongest child, in her physical education classes. But at age 13, Kelsey developed vertigo, which causes dizziness and unbalance, and decided to quit gymnastics after a frustrating year with the disorder.
Kelsey’s gymnastics training, however, enabled her to walk onto her high school volleyball and soccer teams. She maintained her discipline and desire to stay fit, and began lifting weights when she was 16 years old. Two years later, she entered her first competition as a natural bodybuilder. Kelsey incorporates flexibility and acrobatics into her individual routines, which nearly always earn her the award for the show’s best poser. She recently won a competition that qualified her to compete as a professional natural bodybuilder. Without her gymnastics background, Kelsey doubts she would have been capable of achieving success as an athlete.
When Danica was four months old, she stopped eating and began having other medical problems. Doctors told her parents that she had a fatal brain disease and that she wouldn’t live longer than 2 years old. But Danica began to get better and her mother, a former gymnast and current gym club owner, began doing gymnastics with her. Danica learned forward rolls and kickovers on the bars. She began crawling at age 4 and walking at age 5.
At age 4, Danica was diagnosed with Sotos Syndrome, also known as cerebral gigantism, which causes physical overgrowth during the first years of life and is often accompanied by low muscle tone and delayed motor, cognitive and social development. Because of gymnastics, Danica has progressed and improved by leaps and bounds, and she now climbs and walks independently without any devices. She is a happy 14 year-old who is integrated into junior high school.
DeShawn is a strong, athletic gymnast, but had serious social and behavioral issues. Because she was uncontrollable in practice, the staff at MarVaTeens Gymnastics, Inc., asked her to leave the team. After some deliberation, the coaches decided to invite her back to the team knowing that she needed extra attention and commitment because she was born a substance-abuse baby and suffers from severe ADHD. With the support of her coaches and adopted mother, Twyanna Tate, DeShawn progressed from a struggling Level 4 gymnast to a talented Level 7 gymnast in just four years!
When Kristin was a child, she wanted to blend in with her peers, but she always stood out because she was born with Treacher Collins syndrome, a condition that affects the structure of her facial bones and her hearing. In gymnastics, Kristin found herself surrounded by people who looked past her physical features and supported her.
Kristin says that she owes her confidence, determination and dedication to gymnastics. The strength she gained helped her through the physical pain from many surgeries and the emotional pain from stares and teasing. She learned that people will recognize her because of her face, but will remember her because of her perseverance.
Nine-year-old Keegan began gymnastics at age 2. She started pre-team at age 4 and began competing when she was 7 years old. At the beginning of her first year of competition, her coach at Harford Gymnastics in Joppa, Md., rearranged her schedule to accommodate her love of other sports. Keegan plays on a nationally-ranked club soccer team and also on a travel lacrosse team. Her gymnastics, however, hasn’t suffered because of her other sports; she won the Level 4 all-around title at last year’s Maryland state meet.
Gymnasts are taught to do so many things with their bodies in a split second, which is an incredible talent to bring to other sports. Lacrosse requires quick upper body stick movement, and soccer demands speed and conditioning. Gymnastics provided Keegan the physical skills to compete in her other sports, as well as the confidence to succeed and go after her goals.
Kayla, a 9-year-old Level 7 gymnast at New England Sports Academy in Westwood, Mass., recently was named to the TOPs National Team and was identified as a gymnast with the ability to excel in the sport. Despite her success in gymnastics, Kayla has struggled outside the gym. Kayla’s mother, a single parent, passed away from pneumonia in 2004, just a few months after Kayla began gymnastics. Kayla and her older sister moved in with their grandparents, who chose to keep Kayla in gymnastics for the stability it provided her.
With the help of her gym family, Kayla is finally beginning to come out of her shell. Because of the strong family environment and support that gymnastics provides, Kayla has changed from a quiet, sad child into a happy, bubbly girl who has a real passion for life and her sport.
