It started as a common activity of most little girls.
“She would always be doing flips and cartwheels around the house with her sister,” Lisa Hancock said of her youngest daughter, Aubrey.
About 18 months ago, the 8-year-old Cork Elementary student began taking gymnastics and tumbling classes at Elite World Gymnastics, in Lakeland. Since then, she has blossomed as a gymnast, quickly improving from a level one to a level eight tumbler. Once she reaches level 10, she will be eligible for junior elite. She was one of only two tumblers her age at level eight at this year’s state championships.
“There’s not many girls in the country who can say they made it to level eight in just a year and a half,” Aubrey’s father, Westley said. “It really is amazing.”
Aubrey took first place at the state competition in tumbling and has never finished lower than third. She finished third in the double mini — a trampoline event — and fourth in trampoline. Fourth is the lowest she has ever placed in any trampoline and tumbling — commonly known as T&T — competition.
“I really like doing the back handsprings and the floor exercise,” Aubrey said. “I also like all the medals.”
Aubrey will take her tumbling to the national stage for the Trampoline and Tumbling National Championships July 2, in Kansas City, Mo. It will be her first national competition.
“I’m pretty excited,” she said.
COMMITMENT
Any youth sport can bring a large commitment, but tumbling and gymnastics is near the top of the list.
Aubrey’s parents shuttle her back and forth to practice in Lakeland three times a week (formerly four) and her practices range from three to four hours.
“It’s a big commitment, but it’s very rewarding, both for her and me,” Emily said. “We’re very proud of her, and to see her proud of herself is a great thing.”
For Westley, gymnastics and tumbling were out of his realm of sports knowledge.
“I knew absolutely nothing about it,” he said. “I watched the Olympics and all of the big names, but I didn’t know the kind of stuff I know now.”
Aubrey and her older sister Sydney, 14, grew up participating in team sports.
“Gymnastics is just so different, because it’s just them out there,” Emily said. “If they mess up, it doesn’t affect the whole team, per say.”
Aubrey has made plenty of friends through her gymnastics and tumbling, including Cassie Witchard and Tomlin Middle School students Haley Frangioni and Madison Sequin.
A NATURAL
To qualify for the national competition, competitors must earn qualifying scores, which can be done at regional or state competitions.
When Aubrey went to the 2013 Trampoline and Tumbling State Championship in Winter Garden, no one expected her to qualify for nationals.
“We moved her up a whole level, not even thinking she was going to qualify for nationals,” Westley said. “She had a brand new (tumbling) routine … and she still qualified.”
Aubrey said she is excited about the competition but expects to fight off some nerves.
“I’m going to be scared, I think,” she said. “I’m really excited though.”
As for her future in the sport, Aubrey wants to continue to get better and has big dreams.
“I’d really like to get a scholarship,” she said.
