geist residents
Two Inspiring Athletes Named to the USA Gymnastics Senior National Team
Alex and Tristan are close friends and have endured their share of setbacks in their sports career.
| Janet C. Striebel Two local athletes from Geist Sports Academy have recently been named to the USA Gymnastics Senior National Team. Both are top contenders for a spot on the World Championships team to be announced next month. Alex Renkert and Tristan Vannatta have faced their share of pain, injuries and health issues, only to prove that determination can be a powerful pay-off in life. “Many people don’t realize that Trampoline and Tumbling is a sport,” said Amber Vannatta, head coach of the Power Tumbling Team. “The Trampoline event has been in the Olympics since 2000, and the Double Mini-trampoline is in the World Games.” Trampoline and Tumbling includes four events including trampoline, power tumbling, synchronized trampoline and double mini-trampoline. Male and female gymnasts can focus on just one area or compete in all four events. Triple Threats for Alex Renkert & Tristan Vannatta Both Alex and Tristan have conquered three bouts of bad luck or medical setbacks to their training and competing. Never did these obstacles stop them. Perhaps this commonality explains why they remain such good friends. Alex, a twenty year old IUPUI student, has twice been named to the World Championships. He has also been invited to the World Games competition in Colombia later this month. Three years ago, he broke his back, and recalled competing in regionals using a plastic back brace. In 2011, he suffered from a horrible ACL injury leaving him with permanent nerve damage. “Injury is what got me started in this sport,” said Alex, who originally began in artistic gymnastics. At age nine, Alex was diagnosed with a disease in is elbow – osteochondritis dissecans. “The doctors said my future in gymnastics was over. After two and half years, I was cured completely," he explained. "I decided to go into trampoline and tumbling (instead of continuing with artistic gymnastics) because I like the flipping aspect better than the 36
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strength aspect. This sport is a lot quicker and more of an adrenaline sport. It’s more risky and extreme.” Tristan, a seventeen year old who attends Pendleton Heights High School, recalled as a seventh grader having endured a major operation involving cranial reconstruction, necessary because of a tumor. The doctors had to remove two of her ribs, and then install them in her skull using titanium screws to replace bone removed because of the tumor. Basically, 75% of her skull was compromised because of the surgery. “I was told I might never bounce again, but I was back in nine months and competing,” she said. Indeed, Tristan tied for third in a world competition in Russia. After being bumped to fourth place in a tie breaker, Tristan felt a major letdown. “I remember feeling devastated that I didn’t receive a medal. But after coming home I realized that I was fourth in the world!” she explained. Tristan began to focus on what she had accomplished, instead of what she hadn’t. In 2010, Tristan had to have an immediate surgery to repair a triple umbilical hernia. Then, right before her first elite meet of the season she contracted mononucleosis, and was not allowed to train, to prevent her spleen from rupturing. She returned the next season and moved up a level. “Alex and Tristan are an inspiration to other athletes who see how hard work and determination can overcome obstacles like
newsletter | september 2013
8/28/2013 3:20:25 PM