Reflex Gymnastics is losing a special talent in less then two weeks when 9- year-old Bayley Wilson and her family relocate to Plano, Texas, to further the development of her gymnastics skills. After picking up the sport nearly five years ago and since training under Richard Masters at Reflex Gymnastics on Narcoossee Road, Wilson was granted an impromptu tryout at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) near Dallas, from which she was handpicked by Olympic gold medalist Valeri Liukin as one of 11 kids to join the academy team.
That came after her parents made a sightseeing stop at WOGA, widely recognized as the top gym in the world and home to 2004 Olympic gold medalist Carly Patterson, to visit a facility that has groomed many Olympic champions and competitors over the years. Among Wilson’s new teammates are USA Olympic Team gymnast Nastia Liukin and U.S. Jr. National Team member Rebecca Bross.
Wilson’s mom, Barbara, a competitive gymnast herself in the late 1960s and early ’70s, said she wanted to give her daughter “the opportunities that were not provided to me back then.” Wilson leaves Florida a two-time state champion and Level 9 gymnast (out of 10) who rapidly advanced through the ranks in just a short amount of time.
It shouldn’t be long before she reaches elite status, a level that is few and far between in this country. On average, there are just over two elite gymnasts per state in the nation. Once Wilson arrives at her new gym she will be spending eight hours a day, five days a week, training with Liukin and other young athletes who rank among the best in the world.
“Being surrounded by those types of athletes and top trainers should combine to lead her to great success,” said Masters. “There are no limitations for her now.” Considered by most as the world’s greatest gymnast, Liukin won the 1988 Olympic gold medal as a member of the USSR National Team and also medaled at each of the World Championships between 1987 and 1991.
Wilson’s young career has included allaround state championships at the second, fourth, fifth and seventh levels of competitive gymnastics, among others. And according to Masters, she has plenty of potential left inside of her. “What you look for in an athlete at the elite level is mostly someone who trains well, is comfortable being aggressive, and is a kid with a lot of energy,” he said.
Spectators at the Avalon Park Fourth of July Festival had the chance to see those qualities firsthand as Wilson and a group other Reflex Trampoline & Tumbling Gymnastics team members put on a holiday show for the crowd. The next time we get a glimpse of Wilson doing her favorite “double back tuck” may be on the world stage at an upcoming Olympic competition.
