|
Graduating Davis not your average athlete
by Mike Slodki
It’s appropriate in many ways that Kaneland High School class of 2008 member Haley Davis is going to major in astronomy.
Because the University of Illinois-bound Davis continually reaches for the stars in her passion: gymnastics.
“With your favorite sport, if you want to do it, you need to be dedicated,” Davis said.
Participating outside of school since she was a three-year-old tumbler, Davis has recently seen her training and affiliation with Energym in Sycamore pay off.
The Elburn resident, who trains during the week for four hours a day after school, has enjoyed a string of success as her high school days come to and end.
On April 27, Davis, competing with girls from five states, outdid herself at the Level 9 (capability) USAG Junior Olympic regional meet in Lansing, Mich,. Davis finished fourth on the balance beam with a score of 9.10 and seventh place on the vault with a 9.05 score. The 35.275 all-around score gave her one of 14 spots for the Nationals, which were held on Mother’s Day weekend in Dayton, Ohio.
The Nationals saw Davis earn seventh in the vault with a score of 9.150 and 19th overall on the bars at 8.675.
To do all that required Davis to train at Energym—a lot.
“I usually spend 30 minutes in warmups: running, stretching, strength. Then, I just train in the events for about 45 minutes each,” said Davis, who won’t compete as a Fighting Illini, continuing with club competition.
Davis, who participated in gymnastics in St. Charles and for the outfit Excel in her pre-teen years before hooking up with Energym, viewed her Nationals experience as a shining moment.
“It was great to be able to place against gymnasts from all over the Midwest. After I talked with my coaches and took some time off before the last season started, and I was worried I wouldn’t come back as strong,” Davis said.
She eyes Svetlana Korkina for her technical wizardry and Chelsea Memmel for her attitude and passion as world-class examples to follow.
The gymnast would like to coach budding gymnasts like herself one day, passing on what gymnastics has taught her.
“It’s definitely taught me time management, how to deal with homework and other activities,” she said. “If you find a sport you love, stick with it if it makes you happy.”
5/30/08
|
|
|
|
