Bartlett boy reaching for the stars

Jonathan Fornoff's parents simply hope their son remembers his childhood fondly.

Basic dreams for the parents of a nationally ranked gymnast who may compete on the world stage someday.

Jonathan, 11, of Bartlett, placed second in all-around competition in Region 5, as well as 13th at nationals earlier this year.

Thanks to such success, Jonathan is targeted to become part of USA Gymnastics' Developmental Team, providing he scores high enough later this year at regional and national Future Stars Competitions.

Watch Jonathan practice at the Bartlett Gymnastics Center, and one finds that he holds his handstands steadier and a bit longer than his training mates. His moves have an extra snap, his dismounts more confidence.

"He's always trying to get more turns in practice," said Dave Bloom, his primary coach. "My motto for him is never to let anyone outwork him."

Bloom, as well as Jonathan's parents, Greg and Patty, said that Jonathan constantly sets goals for himself -- a trick to learn, a score to achieve, a competitor to beat.

"We almost have to rein him in at times," said Patty.

That competitive spirit is what's already setting Jonathan apart from others his age.

Bloom indicated that the sport of gymnastics is often "survival of the fittest."

"Kids get bored, or they get scared, or they get teased about the sport," Bloom said about the various pressures that a serious gymnast must endure.

The champions are the ones with the tough skins.

Like most families, the Fornoffs never thought one of their children would be a competitive athlete with national, and possibly world, potential. It all started innocently enough when Jonathan, as a 5-year-old, went to a friend's birthday party at the Bartlett Gymnastics Center.

Ever since then, he has virtually lived there.

"We knew within six months that he had potential," said Patty.

The Fornoffs, however, won't force him to continue if he loses interest.

"He can quit whenever he wants," Greg said.

Even though Jonathan is moving up from Level 7 to Level 9 competition for this season and will perform harder moves, there will be less pressure on him.

"It's definitely going to be different, because last year, everyone expected me to win," Jonathan said.

What Bloom and the Fornoffs hope for is a good showing at this level, with Jonathan setting a goal of finishing in the top nine competitors at the national Future Stars competition.

Future Stars is a competition for emerging 10-, 11-, and 12-year-old gymnasts, separate from USA Gymnastics' state, regional, and national competitions. To qualify for the national Future Stars event in Colorado in November, Jonathan must first achieve a minimum score at the regional Future Stars meet in Indianapolis in September.

Moving up to Level 9 for the next competitive season will also allow him to showcase his strengths -- parallel bars and pommel horse. The Fornoffs have a pommel horse in their family room and a set of rings in their garage.

Competition at Level 9 also means he and his coaches will choreograph his performances instead of following a compulsory list.

Coach Bloom credits Jonathan's family for their support. Younger sister, Katie, 9, is the family sparkplug, acting as his cheerleader at meets.

As a certified nurse-midwife, Patty can often arrange her work schedule around meets, but if she has a commitment Greg can usually pick up the slack.

Though Jonathan spends about 21 hours per week in the gym, he also plays baseball, and likes to hunt and fish regularly.

"It's almost like gymnastics is his job and baseball, hunting, and fishing are his hobbies," Patty said.

Now a sixth-grader at Sycamore Trails Elementary School in Bartlett, Jonathan has regularly earned straight As in his schoolwork. He set his sights on attending Stanford University, in part because of the school's strong gymnastics program.

Until he goes to college, Greg said, his son will stay in the local area for his training.

"The Hamm brothers were coached in Wisconsin and most of the (gymnastics) stars have been developed at local gyms," Greg said.

"He has everything he needs here. I could never fathom sending him away."

Plus, staying local will allow Jonathan maintain something just as important -- a sense of family.

For the Fornoffs, that's paramount.