"Fast Tracked"???

[gymdog]

Brooke Parker is a current elite who has made it to nationals and she didn't begin competitive gymnastics until age 11.

While I actually agree with the basic sentiment that in the US system you don't need to choose an "elite track" anywhere NEAR as young as 5 or 6, this isn't really accurate, and like most high level gymnasts (9s and 10s), she started young. I can remember Brooke at 10/11 at L8 regionals. She did not move to an elite gym until that age, granted, but she was doing gymnastics at a much smaller gym until then and had progressed through the levels. She is an example of what I would say is not an unusual path for US high level gymnasts: she did gymnastics, learned good basics, hit ages 10-12 and was able to make huge gains in progress when they decided to choose that path. But I'm almost positive she didn't start at 11. She's very talented and that path is not necessarily unusual where she grew up, very few gyms really have had the TOPs/elite track programs (even those that produce good L10s) and the more usual path is the kid does gymnastics until about that age, they decide to try for more and move to Capital or Hills. I can think of a couple examples offhand of that.

 

[Shelovesthebars]

We have a girl at our gym who competed as a 9 year old level 5 in 2009 who is now competing level 9/10 this year. She made tops a. I think if you have it, you have it. Some people just put all the factors together in their own time, not what is necessarily the usual way. I think that parents and coaches should keep an open mind and allow the gymnast to progress as long as they are happy. Don't close the door on a gymnast because of age (too young or to old).

 

[bookworm]

She is doing FIVE levels in one year?! I find that stunning, even if she did make the TOPS A team as she would have to score out of every level...and with the new code, the leap from 8 to 9 isn't like it used to be...

 

[gymdog]

I'll correct my previous post - I just found out Brooke did start competing at 10/11 - but I think she was still doing gymnastics before this, closer to age 7 or 8. I also started competing at 11 but I was closer to a L6/7 skill level on everything but bars (and already had strong kips) than a L4/5...so it's still a little hard to judge. I just didn't start competing for several years after I'd mastered what we consider introductory competitive levels, for various reasons.

 

[Shelovesthebars]

Bookworm I know it sounds crazy to me too. But what do I know, I am just a parent. She was also state champion at level 5 so they must have been doing some serious uptraining. It seems like our gym likes to do this sometimes. I know she also was one of the best at camp too. She is training 9/10 so maybe they are trying for 10 but realistically 9 would be doable. Our gym seems to take their time, take their time (snooze...)then just push when they think the gymnast is ready.

 

[Tumblequeensmom]

My daughter used to go to Capital gymnastics. Brooke most definitely was involved with gymnastics before she began competing. She started gymnastics when she was about 7 at a different gym (which is still "late" for this crazy sport), I think all the write ups about her make it sound like she didnt' BEGIN gymnastics until she was about 10 or 11.