Brighton Gymnast is 'Good Competitor' with Big Goals

Patch will regularly spotlight young people in the Brighton community who are successful, talented and just plain awesome.

Today we feature a young Brighton gymnast who qualified to compete at the Eastern National Championships on May 2 in Battle Creek.

Autumn Blaney

• Age: 11
• School: Home schooled 
• Parents: Kris and Mark Blaney
• Introduction: Autumn is a level nine gymnast who trains in Lansing. She also plays golf and can "throw a football better than most teenage quarterbacks," according to her mother Kris. Autumn has been competing since she was 5-years-old and is currently a level 9 gymnast with a goal to become elite in the near future. 
• Achievement: She recently qualified for the Eastern National Championships on May 2 in Battle Creek, which will be the biggest competition so far for the young gymnast. 
• Keys to awesomeness: “She’s a good competitor,” Autumn’s coach Katheyrn Geddert said. “She usually brings it to the table when she needs to.” At her young age, Geddert said she is still “learning as she goes,” but predicts that Autumn will continue on in her career and reach Level 10.
• Who inspires you: The person that inspires her most is her teammate Jordyn Weiber. "She always works hard and has a good attitude," Autumn said. "If she falls on an event she re-focus's and gets her head right back in the game."

Do you know a local young person who deserves applause because he or she shovels the elderly neighbors' driveway? Or perhaps athletic achievements are worth sharing. Everyone deserves attention, and we want to tell these stories. Email nominations to local editor Tatum Ryan at tatum.ryan@patch.com, provide the information shown above and include a photo with names and ages.