2 Wasilla boys return from Olympic national qualifiers

WASILLA— Cole Miller and his friend Kael Childers both grew up in the gymnastics world. The 10-year-old boys recently returned from Colorado Springs, Colorado, after getting evaluated in the Men's Future Stars Program, and according to their coach and Denali Gymnastics director Ryan Childers, they performed very well for their first time.

“I feel like we push each other,” Miller said.

Ryan said that’s why he keeps the two boys together, because they seem to draw energy from each other. They were already friends before they started training together and their bond grew as they challenged each other at practices and competitions.

On Nov. 29, the two boys were where they can normally be found most days, at Denali Gymnastics on the edge of town off Wasilla Fishhook Road.

“These two are putting in 15 hours a week right now,” Ryan said.

Miller placed 15th in Colorado, which qualifies him for the national teams.

“I want to make it elite and maybe the Olympics,” Miller said.

As national team member, Miller is in the pool of elite young athletes and has the potential to be called upon if there’s an international competition sanctioned for the age group and division, Ryan said.

Kael placed 23rd and although he didn’t qualify for the national team, he is still on the “elite track” with Miller, according to Ryan.

“Placement in the competition hasn’t proven to be an indicator if they will be on the Olympic team one day, as there have been Olympians that place last at future stars but as young adults qualified for the Olympic team. It’s simply the fact that they made it to that national competition that puts them in the pool of future Olympians,” Ryan said.

Kael said that he wants to be involved with gymnastics as long as he can and wants to make it on the national team someday and maybe even the Olympics.

“It’s fun and kind of different than other sports,” Kael said.

Kael said that he plays soccer during the summer and credited his gymnastic skills as a beneficial foundation.

“Gymnasts usually place high in other sports,” Ryan said.

Ryan said that the young athletes in the Future Stars program are pulled from each geographic region around the U.S. Alaska one of five states that make up the North West region.

“There’s four boys out of those five states. Two of them came out of Wasilla, Alaska, which is a pretty big deal,” Ryan said.

Ryan said that most gymnasts start when they’re still toddlers but there are plenty of cases of people who started later in life and excelled all the same.

Miller said he was 2 years old when he started and said starting age does not determine their success in the sport. He encouraged anyone who is interested in starting gymnastics to push themselves.

“Work as hard as you can. You don’t have to be young or old to start. You just have to work hard,” Miller said.

“And don’t give up,” Kael added.

Ryan expressed pride for the hard work and level heads visible in both boys.

“That’s a trait of many gymnasts. They have to have a head on their shoulders to keep up with the volume of training and school,” Ryan said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com