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48 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, April 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 26, 2004 Chad Thomas works out during practice Thursday at Rogue Valley School of Gymnastics. Thomas recently won the all-around at the state meet. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli A natural at gymnastics After a little more than two years in the sport, Scenic seventh-grader Chad Thomas wins state title By DON HUNT Mail Tribune For the past few years, Chad Thomas has made it a habit to walk around his Central Point home on his hands. The Scenic Middle School seventh-grader can journey from his bedroom to the living room and into the kitchen without a hitch — and never mind that a small flight of stairs is in his path. "People have been saying for years that we should put him in gymnastics," says Kent Thomas, Chad’s father. "He’s always been pretty nimble." The younger Thomas opted for more conventional sports such as basketball, soccer and wrestling, but finally gave gymnastics a try in February 2002. Advertisement A little more than two years later, Chad Thomas found himself perched on the state championship podium. Competing in the boys 12-and-over age division in Class 5 (the ability levels range from Class 7 to Class 1, with Class 1 being the hardest), Thomas won the all-around title last weekend in Portland. He captured the parallel bars with a personal record score of 9.5 (out of a possible 10.0), the high bar with an 8.8 and the floor exercise with a 9.3. He added second-place showings in the vault (9.5), pommel horse (8.7) and rings (8.8) for an all-around score of 54.60. "Breaking the 54-point barrier in gymnastics is sort of like breaking four minutes in the mile," says John Lenz, who coaches Thomas at the Medford-based Rogue Valley School of Gymnastics. "It’s a significant achievement, no question about that." What makes Thomas’ accomplishment all the more impressive is that he’s competed in gymnastics for only 25 months. His lack of size — he stands 4-foot-6 and weighs 70 pounds — was a detriment in other sports, and his lack of aggression was a drawback in wrestling. But the attributes the 13-year-old Thomas brings to gymnastics — coordination, balance, agility and a strong work ethic — allow him to excel in his latest endeavor. "Gymnastics is the first sport I’ve really been good at, and that just makes it a lot more fun," Thomas said after a brisk workout on the pommel horse and high bar Wednesday. "It takes a lot of practice to get good at the different events, but I like them all. "The vault’s my favorite, not because it’s the easiest but because it gives me the biggest thrill." Thomas admits he gets nervous during meets, but that’s when he seems to do his best. "I’ve got a whole bunch of adrenaline going," he explains with a grin. Thomas trains four hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and three hours on Fridays. It’s unquestionably a time-consuming activity, but Thomas has achieved his best grades since he took up the sport. He obtained a 3.4 grade-point average on his last report card. "Gymnastics has been a great thing for Chad’s mind and body," says Rachelle Thomas, his mother. "It’s done wonders for his self-esteem. "It costs a lot of money (about $200 per month, not counting travel) and we’re not a wealthy family, but we make some sacrifices in other areas and make it work." Chad Thomas’ state-meet performance qualified him for a regional meet next month in Billings, Mont. His goal is to win every event and register a personal record in each. This young gymnast isn’t afraid to set the bar high. He might even throw in an extra handstand or two while entering and exiting the arena. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times