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SPORTS
THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JUNE 27, 2021
Sports
Local gymnastics facility completes expansion project BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor
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old Medal Gymnastics, a staple in the East Valley since 2004, recently completed an expansion project that allowed it to become one of the largest gymnastic facilities in the state. The renovations, which included knocking down a wall to a former business next door, allowed the gym to expand to 50,000-square-feet with two gymnastics pads and a slew of other amenities for athletes of all skill levels. Amanda Borden, owner of Gold Medal Gymnastics and former Olympic athlete, said the expansion has already received great reviews from clients. “June 7 was our first day actually using our new entrance and our new lobby,” Borden said. “Before that, people would come into the old lobby and just stop with big eyes. Not only did they think it
Amanda Borden, left, owner of Gold Medal Gymnastics in Chandler along with her husband, Brad Cochran, recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony with Terri Kimble, Chandler Chamber of Commerce President/CEO in attendance. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)
looked great, but it was so open and that was a lot of fun to watch. It’s been awesome to see parents so excited about everything actually coming together.” Gold Medal Gymnastics, located near the intersection of McQueen and Warner roads, officially unveiled its new space Saturday, June 12 during a ribbon cutting ceremony. It was there many of Borden’s clients were finally able to utilize its new amenities. Borden installed a new gymnastics training floor, a 5,000-square-foot ninja course, dance classrooms and additional space for classes. The ninja course provides an opportunity for athletes of all ages to compete against one another and themselves to beat their previous times on the course. Borden said some of the course is similar to what is seen on popular television
see GYMNASTICS page 35
Local teams shine in Section 7 basketball experience BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor
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t was the first time in well over a year East Valley and Ahwatukee basketball teams had the chance to play in front of college coaches. The NCAA set in place a recruiting dead period in March 2020, where coaches were unable to see athletes in person and no official visits were able to take place. That dead period quickly turned into the longest ever due to the pandemic. It was finally lifted June 1. “I think especially this summer, you’re seeing a lot of these coaches get out and do more recruiting because it’s been 15 months since they’ve been able to do this,” Valley Christian head basketball coach Greg Haagsma said. “It’s been so
long since they’ve seen kids play.” While the high school basketball season eventually got underway in Arizona last winter — albeit after two delays, a cancellation and reinstatement by the Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Governing Board — teams were barred from competing in tournaments throughout the summer months as cases surged. That, however, is no longer the case. Nearly 200 teams, including Valley Christian, Hamilton, Basha, Chandler,
see SECTION 7 page 35
Hamilton senior Aaron Foote said entering the stadium and seeing the number of teams, courts and college coaches was intimidating at first but he was quickly able to settle down.
(Zac BonDurant/Arizonan Contributor)
