Published: July 10, 2007 07:55 pm      

Local gymnasts show off skills at Metropolis

Plainfield — When Stephanie Strout took over as Plainfield High School gymnastics coach, she had two goals in mind — to immediately elevate the program’s competitiveness on the state level and to build a strong feeder program. In 18 months’ time, Strout seems well on her way to doing both.

Along with having PHS gymnast Tori Johnson become an elite IHSAA competitor and the rest of the Quakers continually improving their routines, Strout’s Flip Zone gymnastics training facility has seen solid growth, with more than 400 young gymnasts and cheerleaders currently enrolled in various programs. On Tuesday, some of them had a chance to show what they’ve learned during an exhibition at the Metropolis mall.

Strout’s squads performed at Metropolis last year while raising money for Riley Children’s Hospital, and they were welcomed back this summer for “Tumble Tuesday” exhibitions during lunch-time. Tuesday was the squad’s second appearance, and two more are planned for this month. Also, on July 29, the Flip Zone will be at the center for the summer finale.

Strout said the appearances are good for helping young competitors get used to performing in front of an audience.

“It’s a great experience,” she said. “A lot of these kids haven’t competed yet and won’t until the fall. It gives them the opportunity to perform in public without getting a score or being judged, and at a young age, it gives them confidence.”

The Flip Zone Force Competitive Cheer team and Level 3-10 gymnasts took to the mat Tuesday showing their full arsenal of skills for family, friends, and passers-by.

The Flip Zone takes in youngsters that have just learned to walk all the way through age 18. Among its many programs, Bright Stars — in cooperation with the Plainfield Community School Corporation — will begin this fall. For Plainfield-area students only, it will give children that might normally be home by themselves both before-and-after-school options.

“It’s a community program for kids that are usually left at home — in a safe, positive environment,” Strout said. “We’re offering healthy breakfasts, fitness, and teaching them about nutrition. So they’re getting a lot of the (physical education) and nutrition that they might not normally get in the schools.”

On Aug. 4, the Flip Zone will host a fitness fair that the entire community is invited to. It will feature numerous health and fitness vendors and a free day of open gymnastics for all.

Less than two years in, Strout said the local response to the high school and Flip Zone programs has exceeded her high expectations.

“It’s more than I expected,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of community support.”

The significant growth has led Strout to construct a new facility just across from its current location at 770 Andico Rd., behind the Plainfield post office, that is scheduled to open in early October and will provide nearly double the space.

For more information on the Flip Zone and all of its activities, call 838-0667 or visit the website at www.theflipzone.com.



brent.glasgow@flyergroup.com