Cultivating Champions and Lifelong Skills

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy Jack and Emily Clear

iTumble Girls Soar in Gymnastics Competitions

The extraordinary talent displayed by girls who had no prior gymnastics background inspired them to launch a competitive team. Jake and Emily are especially proud of their girls this year, who participated in 15 meets in the Dallas and Houston areas and won many top awards. Jake is pleased to note this is a remarkable achievement for a small gym competing against larger, more established ones. Three gymnasts – Ariel Londigan, Isabella Jimenez, and Kylee Diaz – each took first place all around at the final state meet for their coordinating team.

Jake and Emily’s daughter Gracee has been another standout performer, earning more than 100 medals in the past three years. “It’s been a very long three years, especially with competitions every weekend, but it was a lot of fun. Having my teammates there and cheering each other on and being able to do something that I loved was just amazing,” she says.

Beyond the medals and trophies, the Clears are proud of how the girls represented iTumble with their support, kindness, and integrity, whether by helping injured teammates to the podium or encouraging one another and other teams during their events. During three competitions, judges praised the kind and encouraging spirit shown by iTumble’s teams. Even opposing coaches noted their kindness, saying their own teams could learn from the iTumble girls.

Jake also notes the personal growth and confidence the girls have developed during their iTumble experience. “We’ve seen so many girls overcome incredible challenges, from injuries to severe shyness. Their passion has helped them excel, even though it was really hard for them,” Emily says.

Jake recalls Kylee’s journey from extremely shy girl to winner of this year’s spirit award during one of the meets for being

a vocal champion for her teammates. “She’s so much more vocal and confident. Gymnastics gave her that confidence. It does that for many kids.”

Kylee’s mom Presley says, “She was too shy to do any sort of group activity for the longest time and when we finally found iTumble, they really worked to build that confidence and break her out of her shell.”

BUILDING COMMUNITY

The Clears take pride in the closeknit community they have created at iTumble. “We know their favorite colors, their interests, and we encourage them to communicate and support each other. It feels like more than just a gym to them; it’s a home,” Jake says.

The Clears are excited about the future of iTumble, which will include a new platinum competitive team and grow the gymnastics team roster to about 50 girls, reflecting the growth and success of the gym’s program and the remarkable achievements of its athletes.