From Gymnastics to Tricking: Aragon’s Acrobats

For some Aragon students, movement is a key outlet of self-expression. One art form, combining strength, balance, flexibility and coordination into one performance, is gymnastics. Aragon students participate in several kinds of gymnastics, ranging from traditional gymnastics and acrobatics to dance and Tricking (a combination of gymnastics, acrobatics, and martial arts).

For many, the passion for gymnastics was born at a young age. Junior Nathaniel Ramil has trained in traditional gymnastics for 12 years while sophomore Stuart Purdy has trained for nine years. In contrast, senior Ali Imani became fascinated with acrobatics when he saw a back flip and a front flip done in front of him when he was 14. Imani says, “I scrambled to YouTube that night and typed in ‘how to do a backflip.’ I had a strong martial arts background, but this started my fascination with Tricking.”

Like many physically demanding sports, gymnastics takes many years of practice and perseverance. Sophomore Emma Mamis, a former gymnast, says, “You have to work towards stunts. You start in padded areas with people helping you and guiding you through the movements.”

Training is also physically grueling. Says Imani, “You fall down a lot. You have to get back up and then fall back down, then recover from whatever injury you’ve probably sustained throughout those times, and then fall down some more until you finally land it. The hardest part of any new move is getting past the psychological fear.”

Because gymnastics demands so much of the body, training usually extends beyond gym workouts. Says Imani, “My training involves working out in the gym, stretching every day to prevent injuries, and keeping a really strict diet.”

G y m n a s t s interested in competing may choose to do so individually or as part of a team. Purdy says, “As a member of the San Mateo Classics, I participate in competitions where we are judged both individually and as a team. There’s a lot of pressure in a team, but it keeps us pumped.” To prepare for competitions, Purdy trains three and a half hours per day, six days a week.

Being subjectively scored often leads to fierce competition. Says Mamis, “I quit [training] before I got to a competitive level. I don’t think that the amount of competition in girls’ gymnastics is healthy.

In addition to competition, gymnastics has many physical risks. Says sophomore Natalie Rutgers, a former gymnast, “I once dislocated my elbow and had to have surgery. However, I was able to come back strong. It took a lot of work but I had my best season afterwards.”

Purdy has also dealt with the effects of injuries. “I recently had to have surgery on my wrist to remove a cyst, and I have some problems with my knee, neck, and back. That’s why I’m laying low and focusing on local meets before trying for state and regionals,” he says.

The skills developed through gymnastics have enabled participants to be successful in other activities, as well. This year, Purdy began wrestling on the Aragon Wrestling Team. “The strength and flexibility that I developed through gymnastics conditioning and training have been crucial to wrestling.”

While no longer in existence, Aragon once had a competitive gymnastics team similar to those of Burlingame High School, Lowell High School, and Los Altos High School. Physical Education teacher Guy Oling says, “During Aragon’s early years, gymnastics was very popular and the co-ed team was very successful. During the spring, the gym would be transformed into a full gymnastics stadium with all of the equipment.”

Unfortunately, the team was canceled in the early 90’s due to lack of interest. However, for several years following the cancellation of the on-campus Aragon team, students were allowed to train at a gym in San Mateo at the expense of the school district.

Aragon students are still intrigued with the idea and would like to see a team come back. Imani demonstrated his skills for the Aragon student body during last year’s Homecoming rally as the Aragon Don during the battle against the Hillsdale Knight. He says, “I most definitely wish that there was a team at Aragon. I think that we would be pretty bomb at tricking.”

No matter what the physical and time demands, gymnastics remains a mental strength builder for most. Says Ramil, “The more you believe in yourself and convince yourself that you can do anything you set your mind to, the better off you are in this sport. The strength of your confidence is reflected in gymnastics.”