"If we do well (at the) New York (competition), we'll go on to (the competition in) Nashville. After that, it's straight to the Olympic Trials," said 15-year-old Annie DiLuzio, right, shown with fellow Elite gymnast Makayla Stambaugh, 13. Sacramento Bee/Owen Brewer

Profile: Parallel lives

For Olympic hopefuls Annie DiLuzio and Makayla Stambaugh, gymnastics is a lifestyle

By Danielle Anselmo -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, April 30, 2004

The sport of gymnastics requires a remarkable level of dedication. The focus is on pushing muscles to their limits, both in strength and flexibility. It takes years of intense training to become even mildly proficient, let alone competitive.

Two local teenagers, Annie DiLuzio and Makayla Stambaugh, have spent nearly their entire lives doing what it takes to excel at the sport.

Between marathon practice sessions, school, homework and sleep, the girls aren't left with much free time. "I do most of my homework in the car rides from school to practice and back," said Annie. "Then I pretty much get right to bed."

Annie, 15, and Makayla, 13, are among only 60 American gymnasts classified as International Elites by U.S.A. Gymnastics, the national sanctioning body. "Elite is a skill level," said the girls' coach, Eli Rodriguez of Byers Gymnastics Center. "Elites hold a high level of discipline and the competition is very tight. The Elite class is the cream of the crop."

Obtaining International Elite status is the first step toward qualifying for the Olympics, which both girls hope to do one day.

Annie and Makayla recently competed at the American Classic in Covina, where Annie finished 21st and Makayla finished 12th, qualifying them both for the next round of competitions, to be held May 14-16 in Rochester, N.Y.

"If we do well in New York, we'll go on to (the competition in) Nashville. After that, it's straight to the Olympic Trials," said Annie, a sophomore at Folsom High School. Makayla, who is home schooled, is still classified as a Junior Elite and won't be able to qualify for the Olympics until she is 15. "I'm too young to make it this year, but 2008 is my goal," Makayla said.

The girls artfully maneuver the vault, bars, beam and floor with ease, but it has been a long, hard road. They have been involved in gymnastics since they were toddlers and stick to a strict practice regimen of six-hour sessions, six days a week. "It's just something you have to do if you want to get better," said Makayla. "You have to keep coming in and repeating (the events) over and over."

The girls sometimes suffer the physical consequences of pushing their bodies to the limit, but they say it's worth it. "There are always aches and pains, but you have to learn to deal with them if you really want to be competitive," said Annie.

The benefits seen from that kind of dedication, Rodriguez points out, translate to all areas of life. "They learn how to succeed early on and how to achieve goals," he said. "They've been really active and competitive throughout their careers. They epitomize the professional female athlete."

Regardless of how far they go this year, both girls plan on continuing to practice and compete with an eye on making it to the Olympics.

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