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BELEN — The Barnum & Bailey big top was nowhere in sight, although Boardwalk Gymnastics had some of the makings of a three-ring circus.
Actually, it was more like a four-ring circus with vault, balance beam, uneven bars and floor exercise stations spaced around a building buzzing with excitement.
“We have 66 competitive gymnasts,” not including recreational participants and tumblers, said Lori Kopalko, owner of Boardwalk Gymnastics. “We always have double the kids,” during an Olympic year when the sport is on the world stage.
Some of those “kids” are excelling on the New Mexico stage, with Maddi Moya, Brooke Chavez and Lily Genzler capturing state championships earlier this year.
Six gymnasts, including Chavez, Milania Pino, Bentley Maestas, Sophia Myers, Andi Rushing and Kennedy Johnston reached the optional level, the most since Boardwalk Gymnastics opened in 1996.
Optional gymnastics is the highest standard, with routines that feature more variety, skill and creativity. It is the responsibility of Denise Gonzales-Ditmanson, as Boardwalk Gymnastics floor and balance beam choreography coach, to help the optional “gymnasts showcase their strengths, style, and personality through music and movement,” she says. “Every step, pose, look and position change has a purpose.”
One of those “optional” athletes is 12-year-old Kennedy Johnston, of Los Lunas, called “The strongest girl in her school,” by Kopalko.
“It’s fun,” is how Johnston describes the sport. “I look forward to doing it all day.”
Johnston is a level eight gymnast, the highest ranking ever at Boardwalk.
Ten-year-old Andi Rushing, of Belen, reached “All-Star” status this year in New Mexico, one of only 10 to qualify at her level. Already, Rushing is laying out her goals.
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“To get to level 10,” the highest level, then “Go to the Olympics.”
In between practice sessions, many girls are following their favorite stars.
Bentley Maestas, of Los Lunas, wears a Louisiana State University singlet, a big fan of LSU social media phenom Olivia Dunne. Maestas, 9, has several “go to” moves in floor exercise.
“My roundoff back handspring, back tuck and my roundoff back handspring layout,” explains Maestas, a two-time state champion.
Going head over heels seems to be popular in this group.
“I like (gymnastics) because of all my coaches and all the flips I get to learn every day,” Maddi Moya says matter-of-factly.
Moya, twice a state champion, points out that even though she won five medals at the state meet, “The judges were just very, very strict.”
Another state champ is Lily Gentzler, of Jarales, who started at the school before she was three. A few years later, she made a discovery.
“I found out that you could compete in stuff like that,” which piqued her interest.
Soon, she was mesmerized by Simone Biles.
“I thought it was so cool, so that got me interested.”
Gentzler now says she wants to go to the Olympics, as a coach.
With so much going on at Boardwalk Gymnastics, keeping things organized falls on Melissa Gabaldon, who is the manager of the gym.
“It is harder to manage the parents,” Gabaldon says. “The kids are great.”
Gabaldon and coach Mia Willis agree that a positive approach is a key factor in success.
“We’re focusing big time on mental health,” said Gabaldon, crediting Biles with shining light on her personal struggles.
Willis, a former competitor at Boardwalk, works with gymnasts’ “discipline — making them responsible.” Willis says all of her girls need to be encouraged, no matter what the skill set is.
“They’re different and that’s OK that they’re different,” Willis said.
Kopalko seems to enjoy the chaos that swirls around her.
“I like gymnastics because it works the full body. They go upside down,” she said. “They love flipping around. You can flip all the way until you’re 80 years old.”
