Over the past several months, StickItMedia has really enjoyed interviewing many of the nation’s top men’s gymnasts.  The fun part about it has been to get to know many of the athletes’ parents and coaches, and to learn what makes these guys tick.  Whether it’s a funny story about how a gymnast got into the sport, or the inspiring tales about how a gymnast has battled through injuries, these young men deserve to have their stories told.

Unlike most sports, gymnasts require a highly structurally supervised year-round training regimen.  There is no such thing as a "pick-up" meet or a casual training session.  These young men flat-out work their tails off just as much during the so-called off season as they do during the relatively short competitive season.  For most club gymnasts, as many as nine months separate each competitive season.  Imagine the heartbreak that a gymnast would feel if he were to suffer a season-ending injury a week before his first meet, after training hard to learn new routines for the previous eight or nine months.  Yet, what do they end up doing?  They rehab the injury and still show up at the gym every day to do whatever training they’re able to do.  Gymnasts are the consummate warriors.

Anyway, the point of all this is to invite parents, coaches, friends and relatives to recommend gymnasts who we can interview.  There are a lot of hard-working young gymnasts out there who deserve some recognition for all of their hard work, devotion and dedication.  Please send your recommendations by clicking on our "contact us" page. We’ll take it from there!

Thanks to Blythe Lawrence for spotlighting Jesse Silverstein in her recent blog posting. Silverstein, a Level 10 (16-18), has much to offer many Division I programs.  A gymnast with tremendous upside, he is a joy to watch.  Younger gymnasts should take note and observe his great lines and clean form.  As he says, "I don’t have the most difficult gymnastics, but I try to have the best form."  We believe that the difficulty will soon catch up to the form.  His recent 2nd place all-around finish at the 2009 VISAs is indicative of that.

Interesting news out of Colorado Springs. Ron Brandt accepted a position with the U.S. Olympic Committee as the High Performance Director in the USOC’s Sports Performance Division.  Brandt has been the men’s national team coordinator since 2000.  A lot of speculation on Twitter is taking place as to his replacement.  Brandt can proudly hang his hat on back-to-back Olympic team medals for Team USA.  That is a great accomplishment.  Now that our men’s gymnastics program continues on an upward trajectory, Brandt’s replacement is all that more important.

The Senior Men’s National Team is now working out in Colorado Springs.  A replacement for David Sender’s spot on the World Team is on the agenda.  A lot is going to happen in the background this month leading up to next month’s World Championships.

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