Realizing Success Through Hard Work

Although the gymnasium is packed with parents, friends, and members of the community, there is a deafening silence over the crowd. They watch and wait anxiously as the young gymnast completes her routine across the mats in perfection. In a release of tension the crowd cheers and applauds her excellent performance.

To compete in any of the many parts of a gymnastics show you must be in excellent physical shape and master a variety of moves and equipment. Most successful gymnasts begin their training very early in life and invest a large amount of time into honing their skills on the mats, beams, vault, and bars. Kaysie Young of Leechburg is an excellent example of this very thing.

Kaysie Young is eleven years old and in the fifth grade at Leechburg Elementary. Her mom got her involved at a very young age and she has been attending gymnastics three days a week since she was two years old. And, because of her diligence, she has managed to compete in local, state, and national championships. She has been involved in competitions for the past four years. Her favorite event is the bars because it has come very naturally to her. Besides competing with the YMCA gymnastics team, Kaysie also competes with Competitive Edge, which is Kiski Area's competitive team. She took home a trophy from her performance at their last competition. Last year she qualified for and competed in a National competition at Niagara Falls. Kaysie credits her mother and head coach, Brandi, with her success.

There are different levels in gymnastics according to skill level. Kaysie started the Competitive Edge team at a level four when she was seven years old. She then moved to a level five for two years and is currently a novice, which is 6.5. Her highest score is an 8.9 on bars, 8.4 on floor, 8.0 on vault and an 8.6 on beam. Kaysie said that the floor routine is the hardest for her to do, but she still manages to get an excellent score for her efforts.

She loves other types of sports as well, and she loves gym class in school. She plays basketball with the YMCA and is on the school softball team. She holds the positions of pitcher and shortstop on the softball team. Kaysie hopes to be able to play volleyball this year as well. When she isn't busy with her gymnastics or other commitments, Kaysie likes to play with her friends.

Despite all her athletic commitments, Kaysie has continued to stay focused on her education and has made honor roll every grading period this year. Kaysie lives in Leechburg with her parents, Debbie and Michael and her two younger sisters Kenzie and Lexie.

To find out information on the YMCA gymnastics program, visit their website at http://www.ymca.net/index.jsp?assn=5530. To learn more about the Leechburg School District's programs and curriculum as well as the latest sports schedules, go to http://www.leechburg.k12.pa.us/