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SPORTS
Local gymnast making her mark
Jeremy McKnight/For The Herald-Dispatch Kayla Williams, 15, does a split on the balance beam at the Gym Nest in Huntington on June 6, 2008. Williams has been invited to Colorado to do some work at the Olympic Training Center.
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HUNTINGTON -- Huntington High sophomore Kayla Williams has made a name for herself by setting the world of gymnastics on fire, leaving a trail of smoke behind that is distinguished, well-earned, and among the best performances the state has ever seen.
Williams recently placed second at nationals held in Kissimmee, Florida. She was the second all-around gymnast with a score of 38.125. She was edged out by one-tenth of a point with a score of 38.225.
Her spectacular showing at an elite level has earned her an invitation to the Olympic training center in Colorado. This gives Williams a chance to be seen by some of the best coaches and trainers in the world.
She was sharp in the floor exercise with a second place showing, and also consistent in the vault by coming in third place. Williams buckled on one of her landings on the beam, costing her a tenth of a point and a possible national championship.
Last year Williams won the beam with a score of 9.675. However, she didn't fare as well overall, placing a respectable seventh.
But Williams acknowledged that things like this happen in gymnastics and no one is ever perfect. Williams was content with her second place showing and said she is already preparing for the upcoming season.
"It was my goal to place in the top four and making it in the top two was like icing on the cake Williams said. "Gymnastics is a big part of my life and I work out at the Gym Nest six out of the seven days a week."
Indeed, Williams workout routine pales in comparison to none. It includes 30 hours a week at the Gym Nest located right off route 10.
Hrabrina Spencer and Hrabrina's father Bozhi Russer, both coach Williams and are owners of the gym.
Spencer said she spends so much time with Williams during the week that they're like family. Russer was very proud of Williams achievement, but Spencer said he can't stop cringing about how a first placing finish was just one-tenth of a point away.
"Nobody in this area can comprehend the magnitude of this achievement," Spencer said. "She puts in so many hours of work and she still maintains straight A's in school."
Spencer's credentials as a coach can't get much better. She made it to the highest level of all by competing in the 1988 Olympics as a member of the Bulgarian team.
Both of William's coaches said that no one has had this much success at the national level from this state since the great Mary Lou Retton. Being mentioned in the same sentence with such an innovator of the sport is a true complement in itself.
In order to qualify for the nationals, Williams had to put together a strong showing at regionals in Newport News, Virginia. She did that and more, by cruising to a Region 7 victory that included captivating performances in every event."
Region seven includes, West Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
Gymnast must be 16-years-old to compete in this years Olympics held in Beijing, China. Since Williams is only 15, she will have to wait until the 2012 Olympics held in London. At that time she will be 19 and much more experienced.
"The Olympics stay in the back of my mind and I'm more about short term goals," Williams said. "The Olympics that I can compete in are so far off and I'm just getting ready for the upcoming season."
With William's tremendous talent, she could head down the same path as her coach and represent her country in the 2012 Olympics. The Olympics might be a distant thought to Williams now, but fast forward four years later and this young lady could be representing her state and country on the biggest stage of all.
