Local gymnasts strut their stuff

Showing off.

According to local gymnastics prodigy David Kennedy, demonstrating what he has learned in his new trade is all part of the fun.

"It is like showing off," the 12-year-old local gymnast said.

Kennedy was one of eight students from Denali Gymnastics in Wasilla who had the opportunity to strut their stuff at a recent regional gymnastics meet at West High School in Anchorage.

The meet was a United States Junior Olympic sanctioned event. Over 300 youngsters competed in the meet. Athletes from Alaska, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Idaho participated.

Kennedy and Joshua Disney represented Denali Gymnastics in the class five, 12 years and over group. Brian Leonard and Conner Weik competed in the class five, ages 10-11 group. Blake Cullip participated in the class six, ages 8-9 group. John Stogdill and Dante Anzilotti competed in the class six, ages 7-9 group.

The athletes are grouped by age and class. There are seven classes with seven being the beginning division and one being the highest. A class one gymnast is considered a national level athlete.

According to Denali Gymnastics' Lynn Reynolds, the athletes who represented his organization in the regional meet have been bumped up a level this season.

"They have done very well, this is their first year at their levels," Reynolds said. "They have improved their skills."

The athletes work out about nine hours per week under the guidance of Robert Davila. Unlike other sports, gymnastics has become a year-round event for these youths.

"It is a 12-month thing for the boys that are serious," Davilia said.

According to Davila, the hard work the athletes are putting in is paying off.

"Our boys are getting better and better," Davila said. "Their skills are increasing nicely."

Each of the boys competes in six different gymnastic events. Each competes in the pommel horse, rings, parallel bars, high bar, floor exercise and the vault.

Of the group that competed in the regional meet, Kennedy had the highest finish, placing sixth in the floor exercise.

Davila said each of his students are well-rounded and have success in each of the events. He noted that their goal is to have each student excel in each of the events rather than specialize in one particular competition.

Though the group did not bring home a great deal of awards, Davila and the students agree that it was a great opportunity to be involved in the competition.

"It was an educational experience," Davila said.

"It was fun watching the things that they could do," Kennedy said of his peers in the meet.

"There is no reason these boys can't compete against kids from the bigger cities," Davila added.