Aaron
Ward is a gymnast at North Raleigh Gymnastics where Benji Stern coaches him.
He has been to regional several times as well as a previous NC state
champion. SENIORS
The graduating high school seniors are listed below with some of their accomplishments to date. If any seniors are missing, please e-mail Benji Stern with the information. Seniors from previous years are listed below with their accomplishments prior to their senior years.
2007 Graduating Seniors
Aaron Ward
Aaron
Ward is a gymnast at North Raleigh Gymnastics where Benji Stern coaches him.
He has been to regional several times as well as a previous NC state
champion.
Aaron attends Word of God Christian Academy where he maintains a 4.0 GPA. During his senior year Aaron takes class not only at Word of God Christian Academy but half of his day is spent a Wake Tech Community College taking college level courses.
He has been accepted to Ohio State University. He is still awaiting scholarships and acceptance letters from other universities.
Dylan Parrott
Dylan
Parrot is a gymnast at Cabarrus County Gymnastics where he is coached by Greg
Lemelin and Kevin Pierce. When Dylan was 11
years old, he become a member of the Future Stars National Team. He was
the NC State Champion in 2005 and 2006. He
placed 2nd at the 2005 Region VIII Championship, which earned him a
spot on the 2005 Regional Team to compete at JO Nationals.
At JO Nationals held in Savannah, Georgia Dylan placed 6th in
floor finals. To date, Dylan has competed in six JO National Championships.
Dylan is a senior at South Rowan High School where he maintains a 4.0 GPA. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is 13th out of 397 in his graduating class. In addition, Dylan is a member of his school JROTC where he has been awarded the highest honor possible for a JROTC member. Outside of school and gymnastics, Dylan has made several mission trips with his church to places such as Alaska, Chicago, Daytona, and Mississippi.
Next year, Dylan will attend the US Naval Academy where he will be competing on their gymnastics team.
Garrett Powlas
Garrett
Powlas is a Level 10 gymnast at G&J Speedway and is coached by Jie Ding.
As a younger gymnast, Garrett competed in the future stars competition and was
on the National Future Stars team for one year. He has competed in the JO
National Championship four times and being a member of the Region 8 Team. In
addition, Garrett has made the all-around finals twice at nationals and event
finals on high bar once. Some of his great accomplish are 19th in the
All-Around and 5th on H-Bar at the 2005 JO National Championship. Due to his
outstanding performance he earned the right to compete in the 2005 USA
Championship.
Garrett attends Salisbury High School where he maintains a 3.5 GPA.
Garrett is planning on continue training in the sport of gymnastics. He is talking with several schools about scholarship opportunities. At this time been accepted to the University of Michigan and Ohio State where he will be able to walk on to the gymnastics team. He is still waiting to hear from other schools where he is hoping to obtain a scholarship. No matter what happens, Garrett will continue to training in the sport of gymnastics.
Kyle Cutler
Kyle Cutler is a gymnast at North Carolina Twisters.
Matthew Huckfeldt
Matthew Huckfeldt is a gymnast at Blue Ridge Gymnastics and coached by Hugh
Gerlach. He has been a regional competitor several years.
As a class 5 gymnast, he was a member of the Class 5 NC State Member at
Regionals. In addition as a Level 8
competitor he finished 9th in the all-around, 5th on
pommels, and 5th on P-bars.
Matthew attends Martinsville High School. He has attended Piedmont Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology. He is a “Big M” academic award recipient all 4 years of high school. In addition, he has been a USAG All-American as well as a NC Academic All-Academic. He is also a JO Rated Judge.
Next year, Matthew plans to attend Appalachian State University, Western Carolina University, or James Madison University. He plans to major in Music Industry wherever he decides to go.
Mike Varela
Mike Varela is a gymnast at Charlotte Gymnastics Academy.
Nick Baker and Enouch Pugh are his coaches. He
attends Charlotte Catholic this year, and has not decided on what college he
will be attending next year.
Trey Brown
Trey Brown is a gymnast at C&B Flip Force Gymnastics. He is coached by Chris Young and Sasha Moussaev.
2006 Graduating Seniors
JOSHUA ARCHER
Josh is a Level 10 gymnast at Traditional Gymnastics and is coached by James and Lisa Sargent. In 2002 and 2005, he was a competitor at JO National Championships. In 2005, Josh represented the United States in the Maccabiah World Games in Israel. During the World Games, he was part of the USA Men's Junior Team that earned a Silver Medal in the Team Competition. In addition, he received the Silver Medal in the All-Around, the Gold Medal on high bar, and tied for the Gold Medal on vault and p-bars.
Currently Josh is attending Jacksonville High School where is a member of the Track and Field Team. While he was a student at Harnett Central High School, Josh played on the Tennis Team.
In the fall, Josh will be attending the United States Naval Academy
MATTHEW LACKEY
Matthew is a Level 10 gymnast coached by Jim Shaw and Robert Boudreaux at Jim-Nastics Academy. He has been competed for Jim-Nastics for the past six years, where he has qualified to the Regional Championships three times and has been on the NC State Team for his respective level all three times. In 2002, Matthew was the 2002 Level 6 Regional High Bar Champion, and was also the 2005 Level 8 Regional Pommel Horse Champion. For the past 4 years, he has been a NC Academic and a USAG Academic All-American Athlete.
While attending Lighthouse Academy, Matthew is a member of the National Honor Society maintaining a 3.9 grade point average. He is a competitor for the Catawba College First Family Scholarship, and the Catawba College Presidential Scholarship. In addition, Matthew is a volunteer at the YMCA of High Point Youth Program. When he is not study or in the gym training, Matthew works at the YMCA as a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard.
In the fall, Matthew will be attending Catawba College where he already been accepted into the Athletic Training department. After graduating with a degree in Athletic Training, Matthew plans to go to graduate school for a doctorate in Physical Therapy.
VINCENT
MCNEILL
Vincent trains at Countryside Gymnastics under coach Frank Toledo as a Level 10 gymnast. He has been a State Qualifier since 2002, and attended the Region 8 Championships in 2002 and 2004. He hopes to attend the 2006 National Gymnastics Championships in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Vincent is studying psychology while attending 71st High School in Fayetteville. Also, he is a member of the Cumberland County Youth Orchestra, as well as a Gentlemen of Distinction. In 2005, Vincent was a member of the A/B Honor Roll.
After high school, Vincent hopes to continue gymnastics as a member of a collegiate team. He wants to continue training so he can hopefully become a member of the 2008 Olympic Team. In addition, he would like to one day become a gymnastics coach.
JOHNNY ROBINSON
Johnny trains at Weyandt's Gymnastics in Charlotte, NC, under Stass Savitch and Sasha Shlyuyev as a Level 10 gymnast. He has qualified to the JO National Championships 5 times, and has been a Region 8 Team Member as well as an alternate to the Region 8 Team at Nationals. At the 2005 JO Nationals he was 74th in the AA, and 26th on Vault. In the 2004 JO Nationals, Johnny was 59th in AA, and 20th on Vault. He was 62nd during the AA competition and 20th on Vault during the 2003 JO Nationals. At Johnny first JO Nationals in 2002, he was 29th in the AA and 6th on Vault.
Also, Johnny has qualified to the Region 8 Regional Championship eight times and for seven of those times he was a member of the NC State Team for his respective level. Also, Johnny is a three time NC State Champion and 7-time member a NC State Team. In addition, he was a member of the National Future Stars Team.
In the fall of 2006, Johnny will attending Nebraska where he has already signed a letter of intent with them.
2005 Graduating Seniors
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KENT
CALDWELL - Kent is a gymnast at Charlotte Gymnastics Academy (CGA) and is coached by Nick
Baker. At CGA he assists with classes and is team Co-Captain.
He has been involved in gymnastics since the age of 5 and competing for the last
9 years throughout which he has always competed at the Region 8 meet as a member
of the NC State team. Throughout the years he has consistently placed in
the top 4 all-around in the state and placed on various events at the regional
level. This past year he qualified for the JO National Meet in San Diego.
His specialties are floor and vault. He has also been a NC Academic
All-American and USA Gymnastics Academic All-American for the past 3 years.
As a student at Charlotte Latin School, Kent has been named to the Headmaster's
List throughout his high school years. His Junior year he was named to the
Cum Laude Society by being in the top 10% of his class. He has won a
Scholastic Gold Key in Art, Science Olympiad honors, is a member of the Latin
National Honor Society, and most recently was named the Charlotte Latin School
Wendy's Heisman Award Nominee. As a Senior, he is Consul of the Junior
Classical League and Editor of the "Blue Review", Charlotte Latin's
literary publication.
Kent has studied art extensively at Braitman Studio and Ringling School of Art.
He also tutors students after school at Seigle Avenue School, has gone on summer
mission trips to Ireland, Mexico, and South Dakota, and has volunteered with
Special Olympics, Nevins Center, and Habitat for Humanity.
Photo by Dale Seibert
TREY JAMES - Trey is a gymnast at Charlotte Gymnastics
Academy (CGA) and is coached by Nick Baker. Trey has been involved in men’s gymnastics for 9 years. He
has qualified for Junior Olympic National Championships twice. He has been
a member of the NC Regional Team 5 times. Trey is a 3 time USA Gymnastics
Academic All-American. He is a Junior Olympic level judge and is an
assistant coach at CGA, where he is also team Co-Captain.
Trey attends Butler High School where he is a member of the
National Honor Society and various clubs. He was a member of Butler’s
Symphonic Band. He has received numerous academic awards during his high
school career and has served as a page for the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Photo by Dale Seibert
Trey enjoys computers and other sports, including golf. Trey
has been a volunteer with the Special Olympics, Operation Christmas Child, and
other service projects. Trey is a member of Calvary Church.
Trey plans to continue competitive gymnastics in college.
Photo by Dale Seibert
JAMES PRIM - James is a gymnast at Weyandt's Gymnastics
coached by Stass Savitch and Alexandre (Sasha) Shliouev. He has twice been
a North Carolina State All-Around Champion. During 2004, James took 1st place on
Parallel Bars and 2nd place on Pommel Horse, Still Rings and the
All-Around. At the 2004 Region 8 Championships, James tied for 1st place
on Pommel Horse. He has competed at the Junior Olympics
National Championships for the last three years, finishing 25th on Still Rings
in 2004.
James takes science courses at Central Piedmont Community College and Advanced
Placement courses through the Internet and through self study at home. To
date, James has scored a "5" on all of his AP exams. This year,
he hopes to extend this record by tackling AP Statistics, U.S. Government, and
U.S. History.
He tutors refugee children in various subjects and other students in
mathematics.
James is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and has been accepted into
the UNC-Chapel Hill Honors Program. The
College of William & Mary and the University of Oklahoma have expressed
interest in him joining their gymnastics teams.
BRANDON WALTON - Brandon is a gymnast at Rose's
Gymnastics and is coached by Boris Polianski and Brian Rose.
Photo by Dale Seibert
2004 Graduating Seniors
WIL
HEYER - Wil is a gymnast at C&B Flip Force
Gymnastics and is coached by Chris Young. He has been competing in
gymnastics for 14 years. He
attends Mount Tabor High School and has received the Academic All-American award
in the 10th and 11th grades. Wil recently received the "Semper
Fidelis" award in marching band for the 2003-2004 year. He has been
accepted to The Ohio State University, where he plans to attend in the fall.
MICHAEL JOHNSON - Michael is a gymnast at Traditional Gymnastics and is coached by
James Sargent. He was the first North Carolina gymnast to make a Future
Stars National Team (scoring a perfect 10 from 1996/2000 US Olympic Team Coach
and 1976 Olympic Medallist Peter Korman). Michael was a Regional Champion
as a Class 6 gymnast and was the NC State Champion several times. He was a
silver medallist on Floor at JO National Championships as a Class 3
gymnast. He was a Class 3 Regional Team Member and Class 2 Regional Team
Member (Alternate). Michael earned first place Class 2 on Floor and 10th
All-Around at the 2002 Men's USA Championships Qualifier. Although
injured, he also competed at the 2003 Men's USA Championships Qualifier in
Michigan, placing fifth on High Bar. He performed on High Bar at the TJ
Maxx Tour of Champions in 2003.
Michael is going to forego his senior year in the JO Program to turn elite. He is preparing to compete in the Men's USA Championships Qualifier in Colorado Springs in April 2004. Michael enjoys playing piano and spends a large majority of his spare time pursuing golf.
JACOB MESSINA - Jacob is a gymnast at G&J Speedway
Gymnastics and is coached by Jie Ding. Jacob has been involved in men's
gymnastics for 13 years. He's been state champion at least 5 times, a
regional team member since 1999, and a Junior National Team Member in 2001.
He has been on the first string Academic All American Team, maintaining above a
4.0 average. Jake placed 5th in the nation on Still Rings at the Junior
National Championships in 2003. He is the G&J Gymnastics Team Captain
and a good assistant coach and role model for his younger teammates. Jacob
is also a skilled drummer and skier, and has been active in First Priority and
in his church's youth group.
JOHN MINTER - John is a gymnast at C&B Flip Force
Gymnastics and is coached by Chris Young. John
started classes at age 3 (preschool classes) at Blue
Ridge Gymnastics in Martinsville, Virginia. He began competing
Class 7 in 1995. He has qualified for NC State Championships every year
– 1995-2004. In 1995 (Class 7), he
placed 3rd on High
Bar at NC State Championships; in 1998 (Class 6) he placed 4th
All Around at NC State Championships and qualified to Region
8 Championships. In August 2001, John
moved to C&B Flip Force in
For the past two years (2002 - 2004) John has been a judge at the North Carolina qualifying meets and NC State Championships. He plans to continue judging in the future.
John
is a senior at
Tunstall
High School
in Dry Fork, Virginia and Pittsylvania
Career & Technical
Center
in Chatham,
In his spare time, John’s hobby is wood working (making clocks). John is a member at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church and is active in youth activities.
KIM RASH - Kim is a gymnast at C&B Flip Force
Gymnastics and is coached by Chris Young. He has been a gymnast for 11
years and has competed in the NC State Championships eight times, Region 8
Championships seven times, and JO National Championships once (freshman year). At NC State Championships, Kim has been first on Still Rings (age 16 and 13) and
Vault (age13 as class two).
Kim is home-schooled. He plays the guitar in a band for his church, Bald Mountain Baptist, where he is active in youth group. He also plays the drums and piano. Kim's hobbies include water skiing, kneeboarding and snowboarding. Upon graduation, Kim plans on attending Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he will major in pre-med and minor in music.
TED SWARTZBAUGH - Ted is a gymnast at Jim-Nastics and is
coached by Jim Shaw. Ted won the North Carolina State Championships as a
Class 1 in 2003. He qualified to JO National Championships in both his
sophomore and junior years (Class 2 and Class 1).
Ted has a 4.17 weighted Grade Point Average at High Point Central High School, where he is the business editor for the yearbook. He also plays bass in a band and is in Beta club at school. Ted plans to go to college this fall and hopes to continue competing in gymnastics. He has applied to James Madison University, Temple University and Springfield College; he has been accepted to Temple University with a scholarship to their business school and is awaiting responses from the other two schools.
BRAD
TRAPP - Brad is a gymnast at C&B Flip Force
Gymnastics and is coached by Chris Young. He has been a gymnast for 12
years. Brad was the Ohio State champion four times before moving to North
Carolina. He also coaches Class 7, 6, and 5 at C&B Flip Force.
In the fall, he plans to attend Boston's Architectural Center, majoring in
architecture.