Albany was the site of the 10th annual high school nationals, and the weather was beautiful for a weekend of competition and cameraderie. This year's meet brought together the best of 14 states. The excitement was positively tangible. John Brinkworth, meet director and president of the National High School Gymnastic Coaches Association, put it best when he said, "For some, this is their last hoorah", although certainly many will continue in their gymnastics endeavors. For all the athletes, this meet represents the culmination of years' of work, and will be a time to remember. Not surprisingly, the stands were filled with admiring parents, who had travelled from across the country in the hopes of watching their children's years of labor come to fruition. The anticipation in their eyes, and excitement in their demeaner, showed off their joy and pride.
The group cohesion was amazing considering the athletes making up each state team had been rivals until only so recently. The cohesion was unquestionable, however. The Illinois and Texas men's teams in particular wowed the audience with their cheers, and towards the end of the team competition mobbed each participant as he completed a successful routine. Loudest declaration of team spirit? Definitely the Illinois men. It's a wonder their voices held out!
Amongst the gymnasts performing powerful planches, Tkatchevs, Gingers and Jaegers, one gymnast, Earnest Nelson, deserves recognition for his high-flying Kovacs on high bar. It brought forth cheers and admiration from participants and audience members alike.
Gillian Cote secured the position as top female gymnast. She reported, "I'm very happy, especially with beam", which she reported was her most challenging event, although it certainly didn't show. "I did everything I wanted to". Gillian has accepted a full gymnastics scholarship to attend University of Maryland and study Latin and Greek, and she plans to continue her love of gymnastics by becoming a coach.
One might have expected Devin McCalla, who was second all-around by less than a tenth of a point, to have been disappointed. Not Devin, though. It was revealed that she had broken a toe shortly before the meet. As she put it, "I'm very happy that I got to compete. It's a miracle". And compete she did (1st place vault, 1st place uneven bars, and 3rd place team). She will be attending George Washington University on a full scholarship, doing gymnastics and studying liberal arts. After college, she hopes to become a singer and performer, "I've been told I have a great singing voice, and I love to perform."
James Hayes of Virginia took the spot of top male all-around gymnast. "I feel so good. Everything fell into place; it was the best meet I've ever had.", he reported. This was James' first year in high school gymnastics (because in previous years his school didn't have a team), and what a first year! In the all-around competition, he was 5 and a half tenths ahead of the competition; a sprawling margin compared to the women's side. He has been a gymnast for 8 years, coached by Carlos Vazquez at Capital Gymnastics in Burke, VA. Coach Vazquez, who also coached last year's high school nationals champion, was clearly (and justifiably) thrilled, "It's like a dream come true". He reported that he had yet another gymnast, waiting in the wings for next year; we'll have to keep our eyes peeled. In the meantime, James has been appointed to the US Air Force Academy, and plans to study astronautical engineering, continue his gymnastics career, and become a pilot. Astronautical engineering? James also plans to pursue a spot as an astronaut. It's hard to imagine setting your sights any 'higher' than that!
