Young Gymnasts Roll Into Tampa

By RICH SHOPES The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jul 5, 2007

TAMPA - In what seemed part pep rally, part Fourth of July celebration and part Olympics opening day theatrics, the Amateur Athletic Union launched - in grand fashion - its annual gymnastics competition.

The event, a first for Tampa, is expected to draw 1,500 young athletes from across the country today through Saturday. Thousands more people are expected, including athletes' parents and coaches.

"This should give a really big boost to the city," said Heather Erickson, a city parks and recreation supervisor and one of the event's organizers. "It's especially nice to bring a shot to the downtown."

There was no mistaking the enthusiasm as hundreds of young athletes streamed into the Tampa Convention Center on Wednesday to begin the gymnastics meet.

After signing in, picking up their complimentary T-shirts and checking out the rows of glittery Spandex outfits, the competitors - age categories ranging up to a women's group (18 and older) - mustered at one side of the hall to begin their procession past a grandstand filled with parents and spectators.

"I still don't think they can hear you. Are you ready?" blared the loudspeakers.

"Yeah," the gymnasts yelled, jumping and waving flags.

One by one, they filed past a color guard from MacDill Air Force Base to an area where they will compete by age group and skill level.

The city organized the event with help from the AAU. Local vendors donated T-shirts, flowers, beads, shampoo, posters, hair scrunchies and other items. The Tampa Bay Sports Commission and Florida Sports Foundation also made donations.

Erickson said the city is hoping to lure back the Orlando-based AAU, which holds many national events at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The AAU occasionally takes its gymnastics program on the road. Last year's meet was at Rochester, Minn.

Erickson said that so far, Tampa compares favorably.

"I've been to some of these, and I think this one is at a little higher level," she said.

Standing on mats used in floor exercises, the children faced the grandstand and waved and cheered as Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" boomed from speakers.

Later, after an award was presented to Gene Stowe, 76, of Tampa for his service to the AAU, the children filed out past the grandstand. Then it was off to get their faces painted or to compete in a Hula Hoop contest organized by Radio Disney.

Athletes from as far away as California are attending the three-day meet.

"It's wonderful for the children and it's such a huge event," said Sarah Gaaf, who traveled more than 2,500 miles from Hesperia, Calif., about an hour northeast of Los Angeles, with daughters Hannah, 8, and Britta, 11, both competing in the meet.

"I did it because my children love it. It's a once in a lifetime experience," she said.

About 20 families from California attended, Gaaf said. As for her husband, "It's not really his kind of thing."

Closer to home, Cara and Matt Wilson of Riverview brought their four children, including their gymnast daughter, Anna, 11.

"It's so close to home," Matt said. "Being it's in Florida, it made sense to be here."

A gymnast for eight years, Anna wasn't nervous about competing. Her best event is the uneven bars. Her favorite thing about the event? "There are so many people, and all my friends are here," she said.

The meet runs 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children 3-12, free for 2 and younger; two-day event pass: $25 for adults, $16 for children 3-12, free for 2 and younger; three-day event pass: $30 for adults, $20 for children 3-12, free for 2 and younger.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633 or at rshopes@tampatrib.com.