Young Gymnasts Score Coach a Perfect 10

They always make it look so easy: The fluid motion of a backbend, arms extended on the four-inch-wide beam before legs kick over and the gymnast is upright again, turning quickly before making another difficult move.

What spectators may not realize is the amount of work done behind the scenes. For 20 gymnasts who are part of the East Bay Sports Academy’s (EBSA) girls’ competitive gymnastics program in Concord, practice lasts three hours a day, three to four times a week. But unlike many gyms across the country where coaches berate every wrong move or misstep, the focus at EBSA is about being your best and having fun doing it.

“Gymnastics being what it is, you need to be very disciplined and committed, but you also need to have fun. It’s an element that evades a lot of gyms,” says EBSA Girls’ Gymnastics Head Coach Cliff Parks.

A former high school Ohio state champion, Parks was hit by a drunk driver his senior year, ending his gymnastics career. He went on to coach, producing over 300 State champions, as well as numerous Regional and National champions. Parks joined EBSA last month and says his quest for the Olympics is now achieved through his students.

But never at the sacrifice of having fun. “What you have to do is have fun and give one-hundred percent. Push yourself, but enjoy yourself while you’re doing it.”

Fifteen-year-old Clayton resident Monica Metrock began participating in gymnastics programs when she was only 18-months-old, but only recreationally. When long-time gymnastics coaches Stacy Samarin and Katie Chatterton opened EBSA last year, they began to offer a competitive gymnastics program. Metrock decided to go for it.

“I definitely have improved and gained a lot more strength,” she says. “The way they teach is more advanced.”

The advanced coaching paid off. Last fall, Metrock entered her first gymnastics competition (led by Coach Chatterton) and took home first place for her level in the vault event.

A common misconception is that you have to start training at a very young age, explains Samarin. “You don’t have to be young to compete,” noting Metrock’s success. “If you have the will and determination, you can accomplish anything.”

Intermediate gymnastics competition ranges from level 4 to level 7 with gymnasts working on uneven bars, vault, balance beam and floor exercises. Level 4 events include movements such as cartwheels or handstands on the balance beam, for example. Level 7 incorporates more difficult moves like front and back walkovers, tucks and back handsprings.

On the beam, USA Gymnastics judges look for “high points and low points” through a gymnast’s use of dance movements and acrobatics. Most gymnasts dread the balance beam event because a fall off the beam can mean a full point deduction.

“Unless you’ve actually stood on a beam, you don’t really understand the difficulty of this event,” Samarin says.

The vault showcases different body positions, with gymnasts tucked, piked or stretched. Judges watch for proper body alignment, form, and quick repulsion, height and distance traveled. But Metrock says there’s nothing to be afraid of. “Gymnastics is a lot of fun. Everyone can have their different skill. You don’t have to be perfect in everything.”

Walnut Creek mom Elizabeth Huang’s three daughters, Abby, 8, Sarah, 6, and Michaela, 4, have been participating in gymnastics since July 2009 and joined EBSA in February last year. Her daughter Abby is part of the EBSA girls’ competitive gymnastics program.

“She loves to do gymnastics,” says Huang, who spends hours each week driving her three girls to the Concord gym for sessions. “There is this sense of excitement, pride, and achievement when she learns a new skill or improves on skills she already has.  It has really boosted her confidence in and out of the gym.  She tends to be quite shy and this has helped her come out of her shell.”

Huang’s daughter Sarah is part of TOPs (Talent Opportunity Program) which is preparing her to join the competitive team in the future. Her youngest daughter Michaela is in the Novice Tumbling Recreation Class. When she was younger, Michaela was developmentally delayed and she didn't walk until she was 19 months old. She had ongoing issues with muscle weakness and balance.

“We started her in gymnastics to supplement her physical therapy. We have been thrilled with the progress she has made,” Huang says. “She continues to grow stronger and her balance has improved immensely.  She jumps right in with all the other children and keeps up with them.” 

Huang credits the coaching. Her daughters have excelled under Chatterton as well as with TOPs and Pre-team coach Fortunata. Abby now works with team coaches Bailey Hopper and Parks. “They are clearly dedicated and love what they do. They are hands on and very attentive, and very patient.”

Samarin says bringing Parks into the gym was a Godsend. Although she was very proud of where her other coaches (she being one of them) had taken EBSA, they were looking for someone to take the competitive gymnastics program to the next level and someone who fit in with their positive atmosphere.

“I’m not like those coaches that start yelling when they do something wrong,” Parks says. “I’m these girls’ number one fan and I’m looking out for them.” Then he adds, laughing, “But if they slack off, we’ll have a talk.”