Precision South Gymnastics Academy in Warner Robins is creating a legacy of athletic brilliance

The

2018 J.O. Level 9 Eastern Championships took place in Rochester, New York

earlier this month and the long road to earning the opportunity to compete

against the best 15-year old gymnast in the country, of which Jaimee Vallin

clearly is, had presented itself to Vallin and Precision South Gymnastics

Academy. Just the program’s second gymnast to qualify for nationals, Vallin is

continuing a decade-plus long tradition of gymnastic competition at Precision

that doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

“Gymnastics is difficult, both mentally and

physically,” says Precision South Gymnastics Academy coach Jessica Aragona when

asked about why the sport isn’t as popular as say football and basketball.

“Gymnastics is a really difficult sport that not everyone can do. It takes a

certain type of attitude and physical ability that not everyone can do.”

The amount of work necessary to become and then to

stay a good gymnast is equal to that of a great painter, singer, dancer,

pitcher, artist. There are so many days of training starting at a young age

that one -both boy and girl- becomes more gymnast than student, brother,

sister, child. You have to want to become a gymnast. “Most of our team gymnasts

spend anywhere from 15-20 hours a week in the gym,” said Aragona. Asked how she

would describe a regular day [Editor’s note: There are truly no regular days in

the life of a dedicated gymnast.] at Precision South Aragona said, “A lot of

hard work.”

Located in Warner Robins, Precision South Gymnastics

Academy has been in business for over a decade and has the trophies to prove

that they are, if not the preeminent training ground for local gymnast, then

surely among the top few available in middle Georgia. Along with Aragona, her

sister Keri Morin, Ashley Blankenship, Elena Malone, Alexis Myrick, Miranda

Thigpen and Kaylee Vallin have coached athletes that have helped bring the

program 70 state championships, 40 regional championships, 25 region

championships and a national qualifier.

There are 1,200 athletes that make their way to the

mats at Precision South. The boys, girls and their families that join the

program, in particular the competition squad that is made up of just 10 percent

of the gymnast, have to decide if they are willing to work before they join.

“The kid should just love something about gymnastics and have a passion for

it,” said Aragona of why a parent would bring a child as young as two years old

into the gym. “Usually it’s just for fun.”

The next level however, the competitive level of

gymnastics, will take a lot more than passing interest. “Being able to overcome

fears, being able to stick with it and continue to persevere is the

difference,” adds Aragona. That and talent, of course.

Houston County High School senior Erika Abbruzzese, a

level 10 gymnast, [Editor’s Note: 10 is the highest level you can attain

outside of being an Olympian.], has been with the program since she was 11

years old. Along with Vallin, Abbruzzese is another of the program’s success

stories. Their dedication to the sport and the dedication of the coaches at

Precision South (Vallin’s parents are coach Morin and gym co-owner James

Vallin) keep the tumblers tumbling.

“The amount of time and commitment that gymnasts need

to give are truly tough,” said Aragona, herself and her sister were both former

competitive gymnasts. “It has to be your whole life.”

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