Gym Dandy

The world of competitive gymnastics is a world filled with sacrifice, commitment and sometimes heartache. Not many make it to the optional levels 7-10. Gymnasts work all season from October through March preparing for state. Making the podium in state is a joyous reward for their hard work. From state the top level 8, 9 & 10’s will move on to regional and hopefully the national championships. There are high highs and low lows and no one knows this better than Bentonville junior, Laura Thiele. Laura, who began competing at the age of eight for Williams Center, is currently competing for Regional Rec. Dance and Gymnastics.

During Laura’s freshman year and only two days following her first meet as a level 8, she hyper extended her knee on a front lay out during practice. Her injury would require surgery later that year. Laura was able to complete the season by moving back down to level 7, which provides a lower degree of skill difficulty. That summer she took time off from gymnastics for her knee surgery and recovery. Then, only days after returning to the gym, Laura was in a freak accident which resulted in a broken collar bone. It would seem that her dreams of continuing were slipping away and this would mark the end of Laura’s years as a competitive gymnast.

In the summer of 2007, Laura was preparing for her junior year in high school and working part-time at Regional Rec. She began to wonder if it was possible for her to return to the sport and finally complete her level 8 season. She wasn’t ready to give up on her dream of possibly making it to the regional championship. The big question was if her body could handle the physical demands of returning.

With the support of her coach, David Marshall, and her parents, Galen and Ann Thiele, Laura returned to the gym practicing four days a week and pushing herself to her limits. She was determined to see her dream through. It was no easy task, but her hard work paid off and she started the 2007-2008 season once again as a level 8.

“You rarely see this in the sport of gymnastics”, says coach David Marshall. “Once gymnasts her age retire for a long duration due to injury, they rarely return. Laura is very determined and that has contributed to her success this year”. 

Her grace and beauty while performing is an amazing thing to watch; she is a strong team leader who the other gymnasts look up to and admire. She believes in hard work and dedication and expects the same of her team mates. Team gymnastics gets into your blood and into your heart and it stays there. Most will return to the gym to coach after they retire from the sport. It’s no different for Laura who is already coaching some classes and plans to coach through the summer at Regional Rec. The state meet is held in Pine Bluff in late March and the regional championship is in April. No matter what the outcome Laura has already proven to be a true competitor who has the heart of a winner!