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Trampoline Gymnastics Tradition in SlatonReported by: Allison Morrison
Friday, Aug 15, 2008 @02:52pm CDT
Trampoline gymnastics is a sport fairly new to the olympics, but in Slaton, it's a long standing tradition.
You could say Will Green was born to coach gymnastics.
A third generation coach, Green owns six gyms, including the Slaton Sports Academy.
And he specializes in trampoline gymnastics."Trampolines been a sport since the 1950's," Green says.
But it wasn't until 2000 that trampoline gymnastics became a part of the Olympic Games.
One man and one woman from 16 countries are in Beijing competing in the olympics right now, and Green played a part in the decision.
"Since I didn't have athletes that were age eligible this year, you have to be 17 to compete at the Olympics, I didn't this year, so I was selected to judge," Green says.
He was one of eight people selected to serve as a judge at the U.S. Olympic Trials this year.
Green says, "Knowing most of the athletes and the coaches, you feel nervous for them just as much being up on the panel as you did down on the floor, so it was a great experience."
And the man chosen to represent the U.S. for trampoline gymnastics in the Olympics is one of Green's former athletes and a West Texan.
Chris Estrada, from Plains, Texas, will be competing in Beijing on August 16.
So on that day, Green will be cheering on Estrada, and hoping someday he will coach a trampolinist turned Olympian.
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