TUMBLE, FLIP & FLY

YOUR WAY TO EXCELLENT LIFE SKILLS, ON & OFF THE FLOOR!

Maverick Gymnastics has played a major role in many childrens’ lives, not only physically, but mentally. Billy Bob Taylor, owner of Maverick Gymnastics, has dedicated over 46 years to helping athletes develop skills that translate both on the gym floor and in life.

Coach Billy Bob explained, “Students learn accountability quickly and understand that they are responsible for their own success. They put in the gym time to perfect their skills. I think one of the most important skills they learn is balance. Learning to prioritize home responsibilities, school work, and gym time is essential.” The Maverick coaches work with students of all ages, encouraging them to be the best they can be. Coach Billy Bob said,, “From their first attempt at a cartwheel or a back handspring, we are there along with their fellow classmates, cheering them on. It isn’t easy to learn something new and it takes courage to fail and get back up and try it again. We teach students to be respectful of one another.”

Kaleb Lanier, a senior at Herbert Hoover High School (HHHS), has been in gymnastics since he was in pre-school. “The skills I have learned as a gymnast have helped me excel both in the gym and in life,” he said. “When I look at my attitude, my reactions, and my decision making, I see core strengths that were developed from my years as a gymnast.” He started gymnastics in 2010, taking lessons at Mountaineer Gymnastics in Big Chimney and Revolution in Cross Lanes. His first introduction to Maverick Gymnastics came when his parents had his seventh birthday party at the Maverick gym. “I loved the Maverick environment. It was the first time I was able to be a part of classes for boys. Within a month of joining Maverick I was selected as a member of the boys’ competitive team and I started competing in 2014.” Lanier traveled to PA and OH as well as WV and competed in all of the Olympic events: floor, vault, rings, parallel bars, pommel horse, and the high bar.

Coach Billy Bob said, “ Gymnastics develops a strong work ethic from the outset.” There is nothing like sports to provide an opportunity for people to work toward a common goal. In gymnastics from day one, you learn that you are responsible for your own success. While there is a team score, the gymnast’s individual scores are a result of their commitment and hard work. Billy Bob added, “Gymnastics creates a discipline to do the things that need to be done. As a coach, I have even learned to discipline my own life better. It’s just a beautiful sport.”

Lanier said, “Gymnastics is so individual; you learn to worry about yourself and give your very best performance. The weight is on you.” Lanier is also the field commander of the HHHS Marching Huskies. “My gymnastic training clearly is reflected in my body control and how I handle myself under pressure,” he said. He is judged at competitions for his conducting, visible appearance, musical cues, confidence and posture. During four of last year’s performances, Lanier did a backflip from the field commander stand which was a crowd pleaser!

He is also a member of the tennis team where he credits gymnastics for giving him stability and the ability to overcome adversity. “No matter what sport you participate in, you need to learn how to handle failure and keep on going. While there are athletes who have natural talent, for many of us it is repetition and hard work that help propel us to the top. You just need to keep on working and push forward.”

In 2022 Lanier started as a teacher at Maverick for their Power Tumbling and Trampoline team which competes from the fall through April. Julia Priest, another former Maverick competitive gymnast and HHHS senior, started working as a teacher for the tumbling team last winter and she also helps with the Level 2 girls competition team. Julia took classes at Maverick and was on the competition team for about ten years. She said, “I made it through level 7 before hanging up my leotard for good. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Maverick and everyone there.” Like Kaleb, she said competing was such an eye-opening experience and taught her so much. “Maverick taught me tremendous amounts of life skills including: how to be a leader, a team-player, kind to everyone, patience, and how to take pride in my accomplishments.”

She is also on the HHHS Swim Team and credits gymnastics for teaching her many skills, including having control over her body and giving her the confidence she needs to succeed. She added, “Working at Maverick gives me quite a different perspective than competing. It is beyond enjoyable to be able to teach gymnastics like I once learned it.” As a teacher at Maverick, she instructs young, talented gymnasts in techniques and skills. She also leads them in group stretching, supervises them during classes to ensure the safety and well-being of each student, and creates a fun and goal-oriented atmosphere.

The Power Tumbling and Trampoline team consists of boys and girls, elementary through high school ages. Lanier and Priest explained, “Team members perform 5-8 tumbling skills on the rod floor and they also perform on the doublemini and the trampoline.” These tumbling/trampoline skills are a plus if a student is interested in collegiate or competition cheerleading. Maverick had 40+ girls compete this year in the USAG circuit (USA Gymnastics). The gym has competitive teams for regional levels 8, 9, 10, and the platinum excel program.

Maverick gymnast Lily Thaxton repeated as a national competitor in Oklahoma for her second consecutive year of level 10 competition. Coach Billy Bob said, “She is 16 years old and already has 7-8 universities following her.”

Billy Bob explained, “Level 2 is the introductory competition level which primarily consists of younger students, ages 5-8. They compete through the state championship level. Levels 3 through 7 qualify for compulsory competition and levels 6 and 7 include optional competition for state championships. Levels 8, 9, and 10 compete up to the WV State Championships and try to qualify for the Regional Championships that includes PA, MD, VA, NJ, and WV. Levels 9 and 10 may qualify for National Championships if they are in the top 7 scores of the Regional event.”

Maverick offers recreational classes for ages 2-18 which includes all-around gymnastics for all women’s events and a power tumbling class for boys and girls. Coach Billy Bob said, “WV State University has added an Acro-Tumble program in the Mountain State. They are the 39th member of the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA). It’s a great opportunity here at home for all the athletes of Maverick (tell them Billy Bob sent you).”

Summer recreational classes are happening now at Maverick and fall classes will start the first week of August. For more information and enrollment, call Maverick Gymnastics at 304.925.3004 or visit them at maverickgym.com. They are located at 3510 Venable Avenue, Charleston, WV.