Going to the Olympic Training Center (Updated December 2nd)

Tomorrow, Jeff Jenkins and I are leaving for the Olympic Training Center ("OTC") in Colorado Springs. One of our gymnasts, Jeremy Hunt (11 years old), qualified for the Future Stars national championship meet at the OTC this weekend. If he places in the top 18 in his age group, Jeremy will be the first gymnast from Nevada County to make a junior national team.

It is truly amazing the talent and skill of the gymnasts and gymnastics coaches in sleepy, rural Grass Valley. At one point in the last two years, Gold Country Gymnastics had five coaches who competed gymnastics in college. Over the past thirteen years, Grass Valley has had no less than ten gymnasts qualify to a junior national championship.

I am really proud to be part of such a fantastic program for our kids here in town.

I have not been to the OTC since 2007 when I judged still rings at this very same competition. Going to the OTC - especially right before the Olympics - is amazing. The atmosphere at the training center is crazy. Everything that you see relates motivationally to winning gold medals at the Olympics. You cannot leave without being inspired by the athletes who dedicate their lives to a sport in order to achieve the ultimate goal...and the food is healthy and crazy good.

I hope to update during the trip...and I hope that I get to tell everyone that Grass Valley has a national team member! Please wish young Jeremy the best of luck!



Jeff Jenkins, Jeremy Hunt, and Barry Pruett



UPDATE:  Well, Jeremy is the ranked 38th in the nation for all eleven year old male gymnasts!  Only 18 gymnasts made the national team, but the experience of training and competing at the Olympic Training Center will no doubt follow him to Grass Valley and further motivate the young man in advancing his Olympic dreams.  All day tomorrow, Jeff and I will be in clinics ranging from nutrition supplements, elite strength and agility training, and gymnastics-specific drills, while Jeremy will train with the national staff.  So, today was a great day!