Eli Rodriguez is proud of the young people who have become successful through using Byers Gymnastics Center.

By Keith Gebers
Citizen Staff Writer - For many years when one thinks of gymnastics the name Byers comes to mind. Today there are two locations in the south Sacramento area, each serving a special mission. The gymnastics center at 29 Massie Court was the original and the Byers location at 8569 Bond Road is daily filled with full time activity. Owners are Eli and Debbie Rodriguez.
“Our gyms provide a positive environment where young people can flourish as both gymnasts and people,” Eli said.
Eli added that both Byers Gymnastics Centers feature an experienced and excellent staff. “At the highest competitive levels we have three international coaches, all with international competitive gymnastics experience,” he said. “They are myself, Debbie and Mas Watanabe. In addition coaches with judging, along with high level competitive experience, hold other team coaching positions at Byers.”
Rodriguez said the Massie Court center is geared for competitive activity and accommodates young people up to 18 years old. The Elk Grove center is designed for kids to have fun and gain experience. Elk Grove is for beginners, intermediates and advanced beginners
According to Rodriguez, the primary aspects that define the gymnastics success of the Byers program are technical skills coached by the staff, the longevity of the gymnast’s careers and their competitive levels attained.
“International honors have been awarded to two Byers gymnasts, Annie DiLuzio and Makayla Stambaugh,” Eli said.
At the 2004 U.S. Classics Gymnastics Championship DiLuzio earned first place on vault. In the 2005 Nationals she finished second on vault and seventh in the all-around. Stambaugh placed in the top 10 at both the American Classic and Nationals in 2004. She placed 11th at both the U.S. Classics and Nationals in 2005. Recently, she earned first place on-floor during a competition against Japan.
“In a sport that retires competitors young, often before college, Byers is proud of the many gymnasts in their program that have gone on to join collegiate teams,” Eli said. “One such gymnast is Elizabeth Jillson, who competed four successful years at Oregon State University as a bars specialist. Her top score posted was a perfect 10 at a Pac-10 championship.”
He said another gymnast, Binta Coleman, graduated from Sacramento State as a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference champion after four years of successful competitive gymnastics.
According to Rodriguez, Byers will graduate five seniors that will continue their careers on collegiate teams throughout the United States. They are Stephanie Carter at Stanford; DiLuzio, who will attend the University of Utah; Nicola Cashman, UC Berkeley; Tanya Ho, UC Davis; and Maranda Smith, UCLA.
Rodriguez added, “Through the years, Byers has gained a reputation for creating successful, healthy and happy gymnasts.”