Cranbury’s fabulous four

Cranbury youngsters take top honors at gymnastics competition

By: Matt Kirdahy
   "Pelzer’s Athletic Club."
   That’s what Art Pelzer, owner and instructor of the Cranbury Gymnastics Academy at the corner of Clark Drive and Dey Road, calls the area where he trains young and talented athletes such as Gina Deagresta, 12, Rebekah Clavin, 10, Taylor Harmon, 9 and Arielle Bulls, 9.
   These girls earned a total of 12 medals at the New Jersey State Gymnastics Championship on Jan. 19. The competition was at Henderson’s Gymnastics Academy in Edison.
   "This is really one of the first times these athletes have entered the competitive realm of gymnastics," Mr. Pelzer said.
   As an instructor, Mr. Pelzer tries not to pressure his young gymnasts into situations or competitions he feels they’re not prepared for emotionally. He said the majority of his students are members of the gymnastics academy simply to have fun.
   Taylor was one of the competitors at the state championships. She earned a medal on balance beam.
   Taylor said she tries to "have fun" when performing her routine.
   Mr. Pelzer said she is trained to focus and block out any distractions from the audience.
   Gina, who also received a medal on balance beam, said the most important thing for her is to "remain calm and focus on each move" as she executes them.
   Mr. Pelzer always stands by the action, following every motion his students make so he can coach them if they falter.
   Rebekah and Arielle placed first, earning five medals each, the maximum a competitor can receive at the competition. Those categories are vault, balance beam, bars, floor and all around.
   "Naturally, we’re happy for our athletes when they compete at this level," Mr. Pelzer said. "But when they perform in the outstanding fashion that these girls have, then it’s certainly an incredible thing."
   He said young gymnasts like these five state competitors dedicate approximately 9 to 12 hours a week to their sport. In order to compete at an Olympic level, a gymnast can put forth no less than 40 hours of week.
   Mr. Pelzer said it’s a rarity for someone with that type of goal to attend his school. He said that those students and parents who make that decision are forced to use home schooling.
   Gymnasts of all skill levels must be members of the United States Association of Gymnasts if they wish to compete.
   Gymnasts must score a certain number of points in a series of competitions in order to advance to the next level.
   Mr. Pelzer’s team competes in events all year, starting with invitational tournaments at gymnastic academies across the state. There, his team of 20 athletes attempts to qualify for the second step, sectional tournaments. The gymnasts can earn a point total that will qualify them for the state championships.
   Rebekah said that she is looking forward to working harder while training at the next level with her teammates.
   Mr. Pelzer said that even though his main focus is physical fitness, education and classroom learning takes precedent over what they may encounter at the gym.
   "The focus learned at the gym while training and following directions positively reflects in the students’ schoolwork," Mr. Pelzer said. "But not all of it is competitive."
   The Cranbury Gymnastics Academy employees four instructors and has 850 students. Mr. Pelzer said students join his academy because they don’t want to engage in a conventional sport. Gymnastics offers a different type of physical fitness.
   "We don’t discriminate by age or size because gymnastics is for everyone," Mr. Pelzer said. "We want the support of the parents to back their kids and just have fun."