Schaumburg gymnastics students dream of Olympics

Posted August 09, 2016 11:00 pm

Submitted by Schaumburg Park District

Schaumburg Park District Coach Alexis Poterack spots Annalise Humphrey, 9, of Roselle as she makes the leap from the low to high bar. Courtesy Schaumburg Park District

Annalise Humphrey sees the future in the chalk on her hands.

"I really want to go to the Olympics one day," Humphrey, 9, of Roselle, said as she practiced with her teammates at the Schaumburg Park District's Sport Center, 1141 W. Irving Park Road.

"My favorite event is the uneven bars. I love jumping from the low bar to the high bar."

Stop by the Schaumburg Park District's Sport Center this summer and amid the flips, jumps and cartwheels you're likely to catch Olympic fever.

"People love watching gymnastics because not everybody can do it," Instructor Jordan Colovos said while spotting gymnasts vaulting off the table and into the jump pit. "It's easy to watch football or soccer and then try it, but you can't do gymnastics unless you've trained in a gym for years."

A former member of the Schaumburg High School Boys Gymnastics Team, Colovos, 22, remembers the excitement and inspiration he felt watching Nastia Liukin, the 2008 Olympic individual all-around champion. His specialty was floor exercise and vault.

Annabel Banicz, 9, of Schaumburg started gymnastics at an early age when her mom brought her to the district's parent-tot program.

"I liked it immediately," Banicz said. "We get to try so many different routines."

A variety of gymnastics classes are available, ranging from parent-tot programs for children as young as 2, to advanced and team-level classes for 5- to 14-year-olds. Typically practicing six to eight hours a week, park district team gymnasts put in fewer hours than they would in a private gym, allowing children to develop other interests, such as soccer, dance and cheerleading, said Joanne Carpenter, gymnastics coordinator.

An 8-foot deep pit of foam squares helps break falls while promoting safety and confidence as gymnasts perfect their skills.

"We do a lot of routines off the pit," said Carpenter. "Plus, it's fun for little ones in the tot classes. They just swim right through it."

With the 2016 Olympics underway, it's clear there's a universal ability all gymnasts share, whether they're on a park district team or going for Olympic gold. They all seem to be able to overcome fear.

"You get nervous that you're going to hurt yourself," said Amy Labontu, 12, of Schaumburg. "But then you do it and you feel accomplished."

Annabel Banicz, 9, of Schaumburg first began practicing gymnastics through the Schaumburg Park District's Parent/Tot program. Courtesy of Schaumburg Park District

Sofia Wojdyla, 9, looks on as coaches Alexis Poterack, left, and Jordan Colovos, right, assist Annalise Humphrey, 9, during a vault into the jump pit at the Schaumburg Park District Sport Center. Courtesy of Schaumburg Park District

Gymnastics Coordinator Joanne Carpenter works with Nyla Conner, 6, during practice at the Schaumburg Park District. Courtesy of Schaumburg Park District

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