Sabrina helped me learn front and back walkovers,
handstands, back handsprings, and even a front flip. (I never did land it!) Rhythmic
gymnasts have to be flexible.
“Never do gymnastics if you don’t have an experienced
gymnast of coach with you, because you can get seriously injured.”
“Ok!”
“Try getting up on the beam,” Sabrina said, “You’ll be
really wobbly at first, but once you get used to it, it’s easy.” I climbed onto
the beam and tried to stand up. “Whoa!” I said, as I lost my balance and nearly
fell off. I looked around the gym. I saw Alex laughing at me. She tapped Ana on
the shoulder and pointed at me. I looked away.
Then I saw it: two girls carrying hoops and ribbons walked through the
gym and into a door that said: “SMALL GYM”. “What’s in there?”, I asked.
“Oh, that’s just where the Rhythmic gymnasts practice.”
“Can I go in there for a sec?”
“Sure.”
I trotted over to the SMALL GYM door and went in. I saw Rhythmic
gymnasts practicing everywhere I looked. A short lady with a tight bun sauntered
over to me.
“What do you want?”
“Ummm….. I-err- I want to learn Rhythmic Gymnastics.”
“Ummm….. I-err- I want to learn Rhythmic Gymnastics.”
“Any prior experience?”
“Yes I can do lots of skills, and my sister Alex is a Level
10 Artistic Gymnast.”
“Is it all right with your Mother?”
“Yes she told me to come here with Alex and meet the
Coach.” The woman remained motionless. I stood, waiting for her to go get the
Coach. I studied her. She had thick salt-and-pepper colored hair, dark brown
eyes, and a firm chin. She was wearing a long black skirt and blazer. Just
then, a girl in a sparkly yellow leo bounded up to us. She looked out of breath
from the energetic training. “Hey,” She said to the lady, “Can you come help me
for a minute?”
“Yes. I’ll be right over.” She turned to me. “I’m Coach
Ksenia. I was all-around Gold medalist at the 1979 Worlds for Russia.”
“You-you-you’re the Coach?” I had been picturing someone
young and energetic, with a colorful Warm-up Suit.
“Yes! Now I have
to go help Nicole.” And with that, she turned on her heel and left. And then I
remembered: This was Wednesday. I looked at the clock above the door. It was almost
9:30. Ana had told me to be there at 9:15. YIKES!
I quickly retreated back to the main gym. Ana was still working in the huge
beam area, so I was safe. I passed the time by strolling around the artistic
gymnastics section.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed my shoulder.
“Caroline Eugenie!” I jumped. It was only Alex, trying to
scare me.
“Alexandria Beatrice! What is it?, I exclaimed.
But my twin had vanished. I decided to try out some of
the skills Sabrina had taught me on the floor mat. To me, the coolest looking
thing was the back handspring. I jumped back, and TA DA! I did it! I tried
several more times, doing better each time. I tried again. I jumped back,
landed on my arms, and CRACK! I found myself sprawled on the mat, holding my
wrist.
“OWWWW…….” Coach Chip came running over with Ana and Alex
close behind.
I heard people chattering excitedly above me.
Coach Chip: “Do any of you know who this is?”
Alex: “She’s my sister and I think she just started
gymnastics.”
Ana: “Kerry, are you all right?”
I felt myself being carried out by 2 men. I heard Alex
talking on the phone to my mom (presumably)
Then all went black.
