Gymnasts flip out to set world record

It doesn't take many gymnasts to produce a lot of cartwheels.

On Saturday, nine gymnasts with Elite Express Gymnastics of Cape Girardeau performed 3,332 cartwheels at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park to raise money for Project Action, an organization that fights juvenile crime and works to keep kids out of gangs.

According to Tabitha Vetter, owner of Elite Express, the Project Action Foundation is a national children's charity that works with martial arts, dance and gymnastics schools in accomplishing their mission.

Project Action picked National Gymnastics Day to gather gymnasts from across the country in an effort to set the Guinness world record for the most people performing cartwheels simultaneously.

Vetter said it would be a few days before she knew whether the record was broken.

"A certain percentage of the proceeds comes back to the gym to sponsor a needy child in paying for their tuition to take classes," Vetter said. "I think the more we can do to keep kids off the streets and give them something constructive to do, the better.

"Gymnastics are fun, but it also builds muscles and promotes physical fitness."

A fun workout

Fifteen-year-old Amber Henderson has been taking gymnastics classes for five years. She plans to compete as a gymnast at the college level.

"I like the workout and fun of flipping, being upside down," she said. "Gymnastics came naturally for me. I have moved up quickly. I think events like this one are important because they attract other kids and show them how much fun gymnastics can be."

During the summer, Henderson took gymnastic classes in the morning. She now practices four nights a week from 5 to 9 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

In her two years of gymnastic classes so far, Makenzie Graham, 5, likes performing floor routines best because she likes the tumbling. She says it doesn't make her dizzy.

"At first we signed her up for gymnastics because of the structure," said her mother, Julie Graham. "Then we discovered she had a special talent."

"Gymnastics helps develop coordination and discipline," added Makenzie's aunt, Becky Naeger, a former gymnast. "It is a sport where you are part of a team, and yet perform as an individual."

Makenzie's younger sister, Kelsie, 3 1/2, just started taking gymnastics classes, while 8-week-old Katelyn just watches.

Makenzie practices for two hours two nights per week. Her ultimate goal is the Olympics.

jgosche@semissourian.com

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