Coaches, full gymnastics floor vault Tumbleweeds to the top

Tumbleweeds Gymnastics Academy's success begins with its coaches. Tumbleweeds has not had to look farther than Lampasas, either, to find topquality instructors.

The academy, at the intersection of 1010 N. McLean and Farm-to- Market Road 580 East, claims four coaches who specialize in gymnastics, cheerleading and dance.

Former competitive gymnast Christy White, a cheerleader during her University of Mary Hardin-Baylor career, directs athletes in a variety of disciplines. Co-owner Susan Jones of Lampasas also works closely with gymnasts, while former competitive dancer Ashlyn Wessels teaches ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and drill team lessons.

Former Lampasas High School varsity cheerleader Shannon Lindsey coaches cheer classes.

"It's awesome," Ms. Jones said of the Tumbleweeds staff. "I think Christy has brought in a lot of our business just off her reputation alone."

Ms. Wessels brings plenty of experience, too, Ms. Jones added, and Mrs. Lindsey's knowledge of tryout procedures has benefitted athletes who took Tumbleweeds' six-week cheerleading clinic prior to auditions for school squads.

The program is growing rapidly, as coaches expect nearly 200 youth ages three to 18 to register for fall classes, which begin Sept. 10.

Registration recently concluded, but parents can contact Ms. Jones at 556-3547 to fit late entrants into certain classes.

About one dozen girls have been carpooling to Tumbleweeds from San Saba and Llano to take advantage of a rarity for small Central Texas towns: competition size spring floors.

"That's really important, especially for when we start working kids for competition," Mrs. White said. "That's going to help them in the long run."

The full-size floor also allows multiple athletes to practice at the same time, giving participants more sustained exercise than at smaller gyms.

"You can get a lot more done," Mrs. White said. "There's not a whole lot of standing."

Girls can practice the four major female events: bars, vault, beam and floor routines. Tumbleweeds offers instruction for boys in floor exercises, vault, parallel bars, high bars, rings and pommel horse.

Gymnastics promotes coordination and allows kids a fun way to gain total-body fitness while also enjoying time with friends, Ms. Jones said. Some boys have been training with White in preparation for football season. Gymnastics not only helps athletes gain strength but aids with football related skills, like agility and hand-eye coordination, Mrs. White said.

"There's not a muscle in the body we don't use," said the coach.

Classes always begin with about a 15-minute warmup to prevent injuries, and two coaches supervise athletes in each class at all times.

"We just feel like they get more attention" than at other gyms, co-owner Denice Herring said.

Tumbleweeds offers family discounts as well as reduced rates for participants who join more than one class. In addition, the academy provides a great birthday party venue, Ms. Herring said, where children play on inflatable equipment in the gym for an hour and then enjoy 30 minutes in a private party room, all with coach supervision.

"We just didn't realize how much Lampasas needed this," said Ms. Herring. "It's kind of filling a niche."