Sports Update
Gymnastics: Flower Mound resident Baker gunning for spot on Olympic Team
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
Texas Dreams Gymnastics coach and 2012 International Gymnastics Hall of Fame inductee Kim Zmeskal-Burdette -- a 1992 Olympian -- said the group of gymnasts competing for spots on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team is as experienced and balanced as she has ever seen.
But Zmeskal-Burdette is hopeful a youthful gymnast from Flower Mound has what it takes to make the cut.
Resident Kennedy Baker, 16, who trains at Texas Dreams in Coppell, is one of 15 athletes taking part in the Olympic Trials, which began Friday in San Jose and conclude from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday night on NBC.
"Just getting here is an incredible accomplishment," said Zmeskal-Burdette, who coached Coppell product and current University of Georgia gymnast Chelsea Davis of Texas Dreams to the Olympic trials in 2008. "That's something I keep reminding all of the girls at Texas Dreams. There are so many talented young gymnasts and whenever they get a glimpse of the word 'Olympics' they get very excited. But it's very tough and in reality it is a huge accomplishment just to make the trials."
Baker just gained Senior status in May making her eligible for the event despite her young age. She is taking aim at of the five starter or three alternate spots available.
"She's one of the younger ones competing," Zmeskal-Burdette said. "Someone told me the other day that every one of the 15 girls that are competing have won a world medal in the past. Everyone except for Kennedy, or any of the other younger girls that were Juniors and just became eligible. It's a fantastic group and Kennedy is going to have to come up big and absolutely be on her game. But she is more prepared than she has ever been going into a season and I can really see the confidence she has."
Baker, who moved to Flower Mound from Tennessee to train at Texas Dreams five years ago, is itching to perform.
"I feel really good and I can't wait to get started," she said. "This is definitely the biggest event I have competed in. I've gone to the Visa Championships and other events, but nothing is like this. This is a great opportunity, but either way I know it will be a great experience and will help me in the future."
Baker spends about an hour per day training on each event, in addition to conditioning and strength training. She feels most confident, however, in her ability on the balance beam and floor exercise.
"The committee is looking for not only the top all-around gymnasts, but also the ones who do the best on certain events," Baker said. "I just hope to hit on all of my routines. I want to go 8-for-8, and I think I can really do well on the floor."
"Kennedy's strength is her consistency," Zmeskal-Burdette added. "And she has the ability to really stand out on the bars and floor. Our motto all year has been 'play your game' and we've talked about not having to do anything out of the ordinary."
All-around gymnasts compete in each event (balance beam, floor exercise, vault and uneven bars) twice during the trials.
"Ultimately, the committee is looking for the best pieces of the puzzle that combine to make the best team," Zmeskal-Burdette added. "If someone is strong on the bars, for example, they might then look for someone else that is solid on the beam. But there are a bunch of great all-around gymnasts this go-around, and that's what makes it so difficult to peak at this level."
If a top-five position isn't attainable, there is still a good chance Baker could compete in the Olympics if she earns an alternate spot.
"So many times injuries can come into play and they want girls that can step in and perform at a high level of difficulty on the different apparatus," Zmeskal-Burdette said. "Hopefully that doesn't happen and everyone stays healthy, but you never know. It's been a long time since we made it through an entire Olympics without an injury."
Should Baker come up short, it won't be for lack of confidence, which should continue to carry her in the future.
"She looked at me a couple of days ago and said 'I really like being a Senior," Zmeskal-Burdette said. "I told her 'Great,' because you see how intimidating it can be and it takes a strong-minded individual to make that jump and compete against experienced veterans. She is prepared. She just needs to be consistent."
But Zmeskal-Burdette is hopeful a youthful gymnast from Flower Mound has what it takes to make the cut.
Resident Kennedy Baker, 16, who trains at Texas Dreams in Coppell, is one of 15 athletes taking part in the Olympic Trials, which began Friday in San Jose and conclude from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday night on NBC.
"Just getting here is an incredible accomplishment," said Zmeskal-Burdette, who coached Coppell product and current University of Georgia gymnast Chelsea Davis of Texas Dreams to the Olympic trials in 2008. "That's something I keep reminding all of the girls at Texas Dreams. There are so many talented young gymnasts and whenever they get a glimpse of the word 'Olympics' they get very excited. But it's very tough and in reality it is a huge accomplishment just to make the trials."
Baker just gained Senior status in May making her eligible for the event despite her young age. She is taking aim at of the five starter or three alternate spots available.
"She's one of the younger ones competing," Zmeskal-Burdette said. "Someone told me the other day that every one of the 15 girls that are competing have won a world medal in the past. Everyone except for Kennedy, or any of the other younger girls that were Juniors and just became eligible. It's a fantastic group and Kennedy is going to have to come up big and absolutely be on her game. But she is more prepared than she has ever been going into a season and I can really see the confidence she has."
Baker, who moved to Flower Mound from Tennessee to train at Texas Dreams five years ago, is itching to perform.
"I feel really good and I can't wait to get started," she said. "This is definitely the biggest event I have competed in. I've gone to the Visa Championships and other events, but nothing is like this. This is a great opportunity, but either way I know it will be a great experience and will help me in the future."
Baker spends about an hour per day training on each event, in addition to conditioning and strength training. She feels most confident, however, in her ability on the balance beam and floor exercise.
"The committee is looking for not only the top all-around gymnasts, but also the ones who do the best on certain events," Baker said. "I just hope to hit on all of my routines. I want to go 8-for-8, and I think I can really do well on the floor."
"Kennedy's strength is her consistency," Zmeskal-Burdette added. "And she has the ability to really stand out on the bars and floor. Our motto all year has been 'play your game' and we've talked about not having to do anything out of the ordinary."
All-around gymnasts compete in each event (balance beam, floor exercise, vault and uneven bars) twice during the trials.
"Ultimately, the committee is looking for the best pieces of the puzzle that combine to make the best team," Zmeskal-Burdette added. "If someone is strong on the bars, for example, they might then look for someone else that is solid on the beam. But there are a bunch of great all-around gymnasts this go-around, and that's what makes it so difficult to peak at this level."
If a top-five position isn't attainable, there is still a good chance Baker could compete in the Olympics if she earns an alternate spot.
"So many times injuries can come into play and they want girls that can step in and perform at a high level of difficulty on the different apparatus," Zmeskal-Burdette said. "Hopefully that doesn't happen and everyone stays healthy, but you never know. It's been a long time since we made it through an entire Olympics without an injury."
Should Baker come up short, it won't be for lack of confidence, which should continue to carry her in the future.
"She looked at me a couple of days ago and said 'I really like being a Senior," Zmeskal-Burdette said. "I told her 'Great,' because you see how intimidating it can be and it takes a strong-minded individual to make that jump and compete against experienced veterans. She is prepared. She just needs to be consistent."
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