Published: Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 / Updated: Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 01:59 PM
Wylie gymnast among Winter Olympiad exhibitors
Brooke Bower of Lake Wylie performd an exhibition on the balance beam during the 10th annual Winter Olympiad showcase Feb. 4 at Carolina Stars Gymnastics in Fort Mill.
Created by Carolina Stars owners and coaches Alisha and Paul Bussman, the Olympiad allows the gym’s recreational students to show off their skills in a non-competitive environment reminiscent of a formal gymnastics meet.
Bower, a freshman at Gaston Day School in Gastonia, N.C., started training at the age of 3 with the Bussmans and other coaches at the gym.
Paul Bussman said when she was little, she was scared of the bars and wouldn't go in the gym until he carried her in. Now, she is a level 9 gymnast and hopes to compete in college gymnastics.
Her favorite event is floor, because she gets to show off "a lot of cool skills."
Her least favorite event? Still "bars. Definitely bars."
Carolina Stars maintains Member Gym status with USA Gymnastics, the regulatory organization for the sport in the USA that also oversees team selection and training for the Olympics and international championships. Paul, Alicia and their staff train both recreational and competitive gymnasts 18 months old and up.
The gym also offers karate and aerial dance classes for children and adults through partnerships with other local instructors.
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