Santiagos find gymnastics success at Hoffman Estates

Success can come in many different forms. And for Kyle and Jake Santiago of Hoffman Estates, it doesn’t come only in the gymnastics room.

The brothers, who both qualified as individuals last year to the state finals, didn’t know what a gymnastic mat, pommel horse or still rings were five years ago.

“I didn’t know much about the sport,” said Kyle, who is a senior. “And I never thought I would like it so much.”

When Kyle was a freshman, he was like most 14-year olds, trying to find his way in high school. Classwork was a struggle and graduating from high school and attending college was one of the last things on his mind.

But Kyle’s path crossed with Ryan Brown, who was an assistant coach on the boys’ gymnastics team at the time. Brown talked Kyle into giving the sport a chance.

“I was really immature and my grades were struggling,” Kyle said. “I thought it would be fun. And it was. Coach Brown worked with me and I really liked what I was doing there.”

Brown, who teaches English at Hoffman Estates, also began to get Kyle more focused on his schoolwork.

“Mr. Brown stayed on top of me and helped make sure I got my homework done,” Kyle said. “It really helped me change my attitude.”

And when Kyle’s brother Jake came to Hoffman the following year, Brown began to work with him as well.

“My mom thought it was a good idea for me to be involved with it,” said Jake, who is a junior. “And she was right. It really helped me focus and not go home and just do nothing when I go there.”

Last year Kyle finished 26th on the rings and 34th on the parallel bars and Jake was 46th on parallel bars. The Santiagos are competing in the all-around this year, where both hope to qualify to state.

“They are amazing gymnasts,” Brown said. “They have a lot of natural ability and are also very strong. They turned out to be really good gymnasts. They are now cheerleading as well. That has really helped out with their tumbling.”

Brown, who took over as head coach this year after Scott Phillips retired but stayed on as an assistant, says the brothers don’t usually compete against each other. Rather, he sees them work to get better with each day.

“They do push each other,” Brown said. “They don’t compete against each other, at least not outwardly. I know there is some form of competition between them.”

“We love to work hard,” Kyle said. “It is great having my brother on the team with me.”

“We are both very close,” Jake said. “My brother is a great guy.”

Brown, who spends time mentoring the pair, along with their younger brother Ryan, who is in eighth grade now, says he sees something special in the Santiagos.

“They are very similar in many ways,” Brown said. “Jake is more quiet and reserved while Kyle is more extroverted and emotional. But they are both very hard workers and dedicated to the sport. And they do all that they can when they are here.”

Kyle’s hard work has paid off for him. He recently scored a 21 on the ACT and will attend Ferris State next fall. Meanwhile, Jake is also looking to college when he graduates a year from now.

“I don’t tell them enough how proud I am of them,” Brown said. “It just shows what hard work and dedication will get you.”