Local gymnasts thrilled to meet Shawn Johnson

Posted on Oct 09, 2009 by Angie Holmes.

If Holly Hazelton gets a chance to talk to her idol Shawn Johnson today at Food, Fitness and Fun, she hopes she’s not too nervous.

Hazelton, 13, is a member of the Cedar Rapids Area Gymnastics team who will escort the Olympic champion to the main stage at the U.S. Cellular Center. Members of C.R.A.G. and Twisters, both in Hiawatha, and Somersaults in Cedar Rapids will march in with Johnson, and selected members will perform a tumbling routine.

When Hazelton first started in gymnastics six years ago, the Regis Middle School eighth-grader had heard of Johnson’s rise on the national circuit. Because Johnson is from West Des Moines, Hazelton felt even more connected to her.

“Since she’s from Iowa, I started to follow her,” Hazelton said.

After winning four medals, including a gold on balance beam, at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and winning “Dancing With the Stars” earlier this year, Johnson’s esteem among local gymnasts is assured.

“She’s a well-grounded girl, and we all try to follow that,” said Allie Sindlinger, 16, a Twisters gymnast who’s looking forward to meeting Johnson and talking about the Olympics with her.

Kaylee Pavek, 10, also of Twisters, is looking forward to this meeting as well.

“I’ll ask her if she loves meets against other people and fun times with friends and winning gold medals,” Pavek said.

Hazelton has had a passion for gymnastics for some time and, like many kids, is driven to stick with it and succeed.

“I want to be like her and make it to the Olympics,” she said.

Because of the tough economy, local gym owners say they’ve seen no boost in business since the 2008 Olympics, but Johnson’s success has increased awareness and enthusiasm for gymnastics.

Video by Jim Slosiarek