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Wednesday, March 7, 2001
Anything THE barking of coaches, the chatter of dozens of gymnasts and the pounding of feet on mats can be heard on street level.
but Routine
Gymnast makes even a
practice session a sight
to beholdBy Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-BulletinUp in the large training room, gymnasts of all ages tumble on the mats covering the floor, glide on the balance beam and swing on the uneven parallel bars.
But through the noise and confusion of an early evening at the Hawaiian Island Twisters gym in Kaneohe, the performance of one gymnast -- even in practice -- demands attention.
Punahou sophomore Erin Geary is training for the state gymnastics meet at the end of the month, which will be followed by a regional competition in California and then the nationals.
The 16-year-old star has already been to the nationals five times and is a two-time All-American, finishing in the top 10 in the nation in bars the past two years.
She is a level 10 gymnast, which is the highest Junior Olympic level. The next level up is elite gymnastics -- the professionals who rake in the money and endorsements.
Last month, Geary became the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 in Interscholastic League of Honolulu competition, on a floor exercise event.On this night she's working on the balance beam and her top event -- the uneven parallel bars.
She goes through her repetitions on the bars, making minor adjustments and earning the satisfaction of her coach.
"I think bars is my best event but I like performing floor because you get to dance around," Geary said.
Performing on the bars takes mental focus.
"I coach myself through it. I'll think what I'm supposed to do so I don't get lazy," Geary said.
The balance beam requires total concentration because it's so easy to fall, and the vault has the most potential for disaster.
The floor routine, which mixes different aspects of gymnastics choreographed to music, is her escape.
"When I'm dancing is when I have my fun," she said. "I'm not the best tumbler, but I'm a pretty good dancer."
Said HIT coach Joe Rapp: "Performance-wise, she's probably one of the best in the world. As far as dance and elegance, I put her in a class with any of the Olympians. She loves it too."
She can credit some of her love for gymnastics to her older sister, Shannon."I actually started because my sister was a gymnast. I wanted to be like my big sister," Geary said.
Shannon Geary also attended Punahou and is now a sophomore at Arizona State.
"My mom would take me to her classes and I would sit and watch. They got to jump around, and I wanted to do that, jump on the trampoline. It looked like fun. I wanted to be like her. Whatever she did I wanted to do."
Geary became one of Rapp's pupils when she was 10, and has been with him ever since.
Rapp has been coaching for 24 years and founded HIT four years ago.
"He's a good motivator and he really knows what he's talking about," Geary said.
One of the things Rapp stresses most is discipline.
"There's a lot of discipline in the sport and I firmly believe in that. They learn time management, they don't have a choice," Rapp said.
Punahou gymnastics coach Kari Fernandez has known Geary for four years.
"What amazes me is that she goes to school then to the gym then home (for homework)," Fernandez said. "He strives for that discipline because that's what it takes to be a champion."
Said Rapp: "Her sights are set on getting a full college scholarship, which she'll have no problem with as long as she stays healthy."
The gymnastics season is year-around, because as soon as the nationals are over, training begins for the next season.
Despite her success at the national level, Geary doesn't see herself staying in the sport forever.
And despite her success, she still takes a humble approach to life.
"It's delightful to have her in the gym, her disposition, the way she approaches others," said Fernandez. "She's well-liked. She's just a really good role model.
"She has that extra touch. She loves what she's doing."
Enough to make even a routine practice session something to remember.
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