Local Gymnast Places 2nd in State

Gymnastics came naturally to New Lenox 11-year-old Jacob Erickson. At age 5 he was just acting like a kid, playing around the house, when he asked his mom if he could do the sport. 

"I was just doing a bunch of somersaults around the house," Jacob said. "It's exciting and fun to do."

His mother, Jenny, said he showed signs of great flexibility and balance as a kid, walking at 9 months and folding himself into a bucket.

"He could do a perfect cartwheel when he was really young," his mother, Jenny, said. "He's the daredevil of the family, never afraid to do things like walking across the top of the swingset."

Those talents have paid off, because after getting into gymnastics Jacob was a nautral. He recently placed second in state and qualified for a regional competition this weekend at Western Michigan University. 

The fifth-grader started with tumbling at the Olympia Gymnastics Center before the coach there saw Jacob's natural talent and suggested joining the in Downers Grove. 

At this age, the gymnasts compete in all events and are given an overall score. Jacob had the highest score in Illinois on the pommel horse, which is one of his favorite events, along with the vault and high bars. 

He said he wants to get better on the rings and parallel bars. But the challenge is something he enjoys. His siblings play team sports (Jacob also plays baseball) but he also likes the pressure of individual competition.

"I like that it challenges yourself more," Jacob said. 

He and his mother said there's been a lot to learn from gymnastics, including proper nutrition, time management, discipline and respect. Jacob narrowly missed out on qualifying for a competition at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado, falling just two points short. 

"That's the thing about gymnastics, though," Jenny Erickson said. "All your practice runs can look great, but it's just one chance during the meet. It's a mental sport where you have to learn to wipe that routine out of your mind."

Jacob is clearly a talented gymnast, and he hopes to continue his success this weekend. He said he also enjoys watching the local high school teams (the Lincoln-Way co-op won state last year) and hopes to join a team at the University of Illinois or Ohio State.