Future in the balance

By CHRIS WAGENHEIM
Published June 17, 2007

At 13, Shannon LeBlanc is more dedicated to gymnastics than some people ever dream of being at anything. "You have to have a kid that is willing to put the time and effort and energy into it, someone that is really disciplined and really wants to train that hard, " said Arnold Gwinn, LeBlanc's coach. "She obviously has what it takes to get into that position." For the second year in a row, LeBlanc competed in the USA Gymnastics Eastern National Championship. On her way to a seventh-place finish May 21, LeBlanc placed first in the state and third in regional competition. "Obviously, for what she did at the national championships, she is one of the best, " Gwinn said. "She is one of the few in the Tampa Bay area that qualified to go to nationals, and not only qualified, but was ranked seventh. She is ranked seventh in the country for her age."

Competing against 60 other girls in her age bracket, LeBlanc finished with an overall score of 36.97 out of 40, the high beam being her best event; she finished fourth overall.

"I was really excited; I was amazed how it all turned out, " LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc, who attends River Ridge Middle School, trains at Suncoast Gymnastics Academy in Port Richey and can be found at the gym Monday-Friday. With a 4.0 grade point average and a social life, LeBlanc said she has to make some sacrifices, but her love of the sport makes it easier.

"It all works out because I am really good at gymnastics, " LeBlanc said. "It kind of balances; I mean I don't have a lot of time for friends, but then again I am a really good gymnast."

The girls program Gwinn spearheaded after taking the job out of college focuses on giving athletes the opportunity to take gymnastics to a collegiate level.

"In order to be successful in this sport, four hours a day is pretty much the training you have to go through in order to become that good, " Gwinn said. "The kids that we have on our team are all set up to try and get full scholarships, so our program is set up for those kids that have the best opportunity to get that far."

"It is very exciting, because I know that I have a future in gymnastics, " LeBlanc said.

As one of the best, LeBlanc has certain intangible qualities that make her a state, regional and national competitor. Gwinn points out her incessant dedication to her craft.

"Normally the kids that we get in this sport are the kids that just have an unbelievable work ethic, " Gwinn said. "It is their character, it is not anything we push upon them, it's not anything that parents push upon them. No one would do this if they didn't have the desire themselves."

Gwinn, who has coached LeBlanc on and off for four years just got his protege back. LeBlanc's family moved to California for a year and returned to Florida a year and a half ago.

"There are 20 kids that train underneath me; I train all the advanced kids, " Gwinn said. "I don't know if a parent figure is the right way to explain it, but obviously we do develop a relationship, but it is still coach-athlete and I think that there is a respect there and will always be, but you can't help but build a relationship."

Now competing at level 9, LeBlanc hopes to move into level 10 competition, the highest competition available, next season.

LeBlanc said she is ready for level 10, which she has competed at a few times, because her dedication doesn't just stop at the gym; during competitions she is as focused as possible.

"I try to zone the competition out so that I can get into my zone and concentrate on what I'm doing, " LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc seems to have an insatiable appetite for success.

"Doing well at meets makes me want to come to the gym and work harder and get better, " LeBlanc said. "I have always just tried my hardest in whatever I do; I just go all out."

Though she isn't in high school yet, LeBlanc wants a scholarship to a good gymnastics school. Florida, Georgia and Alabama are among her choices. Olympic aspirations are not out of the question either.

"I would like to be in the Olympics, but I am looking for a scholarship more, " LeBlanc said. "I want to go to one of the top schools (for gymnastics)."

[Last modified June 16, 2007, 19:52:12]