Penn State history

“Throughout his 36 year coaching tenure, Gene Wettstone achieved an unmatched level of success. His dedication to his student-athletes, Penn State, and the sport of gymnastics established him as a pillar among his peers. In honor of his outstanding contributions as coach, mentor, and friend, this facility proudly bears his name.”

Penn State

Those are the words engraved in the gymnastics practice facility located inside the White Building, now named the ‘Gene Wettstone Gymnastics Complex,’ to honor the history of Wettstone and both the men’s and women’s gymnastics programs.

Wettstone was a legendary Penn State men’s gymnastics coach. …

Two years ago, when Wettstone was approaching 100 years old, fellow alumni, especially Ira Stolzer, co-captain of the 1976 national champion men’s gymnastics team, wished to create something to honor Wettstone’s legacy as well as the future of the men’s gymnastics program.

Stolzer and all the captains from the Varsity ‘S’ Club led the fundraising efforts for the department and renovation. In only 90 days, Stolzer and the committee were able to raise nearly $500,000 from former Penn State gymnasts and former Penn State gymnasts’ families and friends. Wettstone passed in July, 2013, less than one month after turning 100.

Gene Wettstone and Gymnastics Success Recognized in Facility Upgrades

Mom video-bombed our vine

In this case Mom is 1987 all-around World champion Aurelia Dobre. 🙂

https://vine.co/v/e0BZ3BrZWvj/embed/simplehttps://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js

There’s one more on MCSMaria.

Gymnastics Trading Places: BBC Documentary

Three British kids go to Moscow Dynamo for training. Three Russians to Dynamo UK. Reality TV from about 2001.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (43min)

full-in full-out – Power Track vs Trampoline

Two different acrobats…Pretty much the same in the air.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Larrissa Miller’s story

Ms Miller was sexually abused by an extended family member between the ages of five and 16.

“The reason I wanted to come out is because I know I have a following in the gym community and I wanted to raise awareness of (sexual abuse),” she said. …

“I just wanted people to know that it’s okay to speak out and get the help and support they need.”

Ms Miller said she had regular contact with her abuser.

The 23-year-old broke her silence on White Balloon Day on September 11 and is now an ambassador for child protection organisation Bravehearts.

Ms Miller’s attacker was jailed in May this year. …

The Moranbah gymnast said she used gym “as an escape” to the abuse.

“Gym was my saviour, to be honest. I don’t know what I would have done if I wasn’t in the gym,” Ms Miller said.

Since opening up about the issue, Ms Miller said quite a few people had told her their own stories. …

“The first person I told was my sister… and then my sister told my mum.” …

Moranbah gymnast focused on sport to escape sexual abuse

Miller