Franklin Student Earns Spot at World Tumbling Competition

Fortunately for junior Ayanna Austin, she RSVPed "yes" to her friend’s birthday party at United Gymnastix some eight years ago.

By attending that party, Austin unexpectedly discovered her passion for tumbling and became acquainted with the gymnastics instructor who has coached her for the better part of a decade. Combine that with hours and hours of hard work and the unrelenting support of a tight-knit family, and you get a young, flourishing gymnastics career.

And she’s not done yet. Not even close.

After reaching the USA Gymnastics National Competition in San Antonio this past July (quite a feat in of itself), Austin qualified for the 2011 World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships—in two separate events.

By placing first in tumbling and third in the double-mini (trampoline) events during nationals, Austin earned a spot as one of just 20 athletes in the junior division to represent the United States at the event in Birmingham, England, which will showcase some 650 competitors from 40 countries around the world in November.

“Looking back on it, I’m like, wow, all this out of a birthday party,” Austin said, cracking a bright smile and a soft laugh. “It makes me feel really good and I just hope I do Reisterstown good.”

If you talk to her coach, Vadim Bindler, in a matter of minutes you’ll quickly find that the prospect of Austin “doing good” is one serious understatement.

Bindler, an accomplished gymnast himself, awes at Austin’s progression from when he taught her in basic classes to when he watched her secure spots on his pre-team (the squad that practices with the main team but doesn’t participate in competitions) and, most recently, the competing team for the United Gymnastix.

As far as her results at nationals go, he was prepared for Austin’s success.

“I am not surprised at all,” Bindler said of his pupil making worlds. “She is right where she should be, but she’s not done. If she keeps working as hard as she is now, she will be a senior elite athlete and one of the best in the country. Ayanna is on her way.

“She is extremely talented. There is no way to describe how talented she is. She is very strong, she builds a lot of muscle and she is hard working.”

Austin estimates that she puts in somewhere around 13-14 hours a week sharpening routines and working out. The time she spends honing her craft is something she can’t even imagine living without.  

“I just like having fun with my friends, staying active and it keeps me busy,” Austin said of her time training. “If I didn’t have it, I’d probably be bored out of my mind.”

Austin’s desire to be competitive and spend time with her friends lends itself well to another one of her talents—cheerleading, where she is in her third year on Franklin’s squad.

Similar to her gymnastics trainer, Austin’s cheerleading coach quickly noted her superior work ethic.

“She picks up cheerleading so quickly because of her gymnastic skills,” Franklin cheerleading coach Jami Eisenstadt said. “She came in freshman year with absolutely no cheerleading experience and quickly became the best flyer on the team. A lot of the other girls look up to her for her skill set … it’s her drive, her determination, everything that she puts into it.”

On top of the persistent attitude and a glowing personality, let’s not forget how much fun it is to watch somebody rapidly flip through the air.

Just ask head football coach Anthony Burgos, who quickly realized that some of the fans he thought were in attendance to watch his team play were actually there for the sole purpose of watching Austin perform during stoppages in the game.

Regardless if it’s gymnastics, cheerleading or even signing the national anthem before Franklin sporting events, Austin doesn’t know where she’d be if she didn’t have the nonstop backing from a family that’s been an integral factor toward her widespread success.

She recalls the national competition where she was admittedly “freaking out” beforehand. However, seeing her loved ones—who attend nearly every, if not all, of her events—in the crowd served as a calming influence.

“It makes me feel good because I look in the stands and I’m really nervous, and they’re looking at me smiling,” Austin said. “It makes me calm down a little bit because I’m like well, at the end of the day, I still have my family supporting me.”

Bindler, having coached hundreds of athletes, knows about the time and money spent traveling to practices and events. He says the Austin family’s support is unparalleled—and essential.

“They take her to all her competitions and practices. Very often her grandmother would come to cheer for her,” Bindler said. “They are really great people. A coach works with athletes and gets to know family too … family is a big part of Ayanna’s success.”

With the journey to England about eight weeks away, Austin is hoping for a scenario similar to that of nationals, where she fought off the jitters and went on to exceed her own expectations.

“I wasn’t expecting as much as I got, but I was really happy with the outcome,” Austin said of nationals. “It’s really scary at first, but once you get out there, everybody’s really nice, you start talking, you make friends and it’s really fun.”