SPORTS

Local gymnastics facility completes expansion project

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Arizonan Sports Editor

Gold 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 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

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) seeGYMNASTICS page 35

Local teams shine in Section 7 basketball experience

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Arizonan Sports Editor

It 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,

seeSECTION 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.

show, “American Ninja Warrior,” including the log roll, parkour course and warp wall each participant needs to run up to complete the course. She believes the ninja course will be a major hit.

“There are some age restrictions based on equipment because of the height or we want to make sure the kids have adequate strength,” Borden said. “When kids first start, they aren’t real sure and are hesitant but once they pick it up it’s amazing to see their inner ninja come out and they want to beat themselves.

“Our customers always asked whether we would grow beyond gymnastics. That really inspired us to explore something else including the ninja program and our dance program. For parents that have two or three kids they can come to one spot.”

Borden scored high enough to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team in 1994 but was passed over. Two years later in 1996, she again scored high enough, but this time was nominated as a captain by the team. She went on to help lead the team to gold at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. She was part of the first-ever women’s gymnastics team to win.

She later went on to attend Arizona State where she joined the gymnastics team as a manager. In 2004, one year after graduating as a Sun Devil, she opened Gold Medal Gymnastics in its Tempe location.

It didn’t take long for Borden’s gym to overflow. For that reason, she opened her second gym in Chandler in 2008. In 2010, Borden hosted her first branded gymnastics meet at her facility. But as her business continued to grow, she looked for more space to accommodate her clients. So, in 2013, she moved her Chandler location to where it stands today. When the local indoor trampoline park that was next door relocated this past year, Borden decided to occupy the space and expand once more.

“Our primary focus has been gymnastics, but our philosophy has always been to use sports to build strong, healthy children,” Borden said. “We believe that helps them go on and live out their dreams whether that be in sports or beyond. I think that environment has always been appreciated by parents but even more so after going through the year all of us have gone through.

“I think we have all realized how important it is for kids to be in activities that build strength, that build confidence and friendship. I think that’s been one of the biggest growth areas we’ve seen.”

Multiple summer camps are currently being held at Gold Medal Gymnastics that offer a wide variety of services for kids with ranging athletic ability. Borden said when summer camps aren’t going on, competitive gymnastics programs are often occupying the facility.

That’s where she says the added space will come into play. Now, they can accommodate more kids throughout the day and provide a more positive experience overall, which is important to Borden.

A mother to gymnasts herself, Borden recognizes the importance of not only good coaching for the sport but a safe environment to adequately practice the various skills and techniques needed to perform. That’s been one of her main goals since opening her first Gold Medal Gymnastics in Tempe nearly two decades ago.

Now, she wants to continue to see it through with one of the largest gyms in the state.

“Just to look at where we started and to see how far we’ve come with our staff, our parents and gymnasts, I’m grateful,” Borden said. “I think I am also blessed to have been an Olympic athlete and to almost translate that into not just being a business owner and coach but to continue showing our kids they should always dream big, work hard and never give up.”

SECTION 7 from page 34

Casteel and several other East Valley schools and many from out of state, descended upon Glendale for the Section 7 Team Camp June 18-20. More than 400 college coaches were in attendance at State Farm Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals that was transformed into a basketball player’s heaven with 12 courts. Fans were in attendance for all games, which began at 8 a.m. each day and concluded around 11 p.m.

For many players it was a new experience. Some, however, have competed in similar-sized spectacles. But the normal atmosphere was an overall welcomed site for everyone involved.

“I think, without a doubt, this is one of the best summer tournaments in the country,” Haagsma said. “I mean, you have teams from California who chose to come here instead of playing in their state tournaments. That tells you how big of a deal this is.”

Valley Christian used the tournament to break in three new players to the roster. Caleb and Luke Shaw, brothers who recently transferred from Phoenix Prep, are the sons of GCU assistant coach Casey Shaw. They are also the nephews of GCU head coach Bryce Drew and Baylor head coach Scott Drew.

The Trojans also debuted Jaylen Lee, a 6-foot-4 senior guard who transferred from Canada.

Canada remains under strict coronavirus policies, which involve sports still being shut down. Lee did not have any opportunities to play basketball. So, thanks to his mother’s dual citizenship, he and his family made the move to Valley Christian.

Lee said he has played in tournaments with the same number of courts. But it was the first time he has played in front

of that many college coaches. “I wasn’t really nervous when I walked in, I thought it was awesome,” Lee said. “I’ve played in big tournaments in Vegas but nothing ever on the level of this with the number of scouts here. It’s an amazing feeling to play in front of them.” Hamilton, which made the 6A quarterfinals last season and returns several starters, was competitive at Section 7 all three days. The Huskies went 2-2 overall against several out-of-state teams. They Valley Christian senior Jaylen Lee, who recently moved wrapped up the tournament from Canada, said he hadn’t ever played in front of Sunday with a win over Libthat many college coaches despite competing in large erty from Peoria. tournaments in the past. Huskies head coach Doug (Zac BonDurant/Arizonan Contributor) Harris said the opportunity for players to compete in front of coaches again for the first time in almost two years was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up when presented with an invitation to Section 7. “If you are a basketball player or a coach, it gets no better than this,” Harris said. “It was kind of like a Final Four atmosphere walking in. I hope these players appreciate this opportunity. It’s everything for these kids who want to go on to play college ball.”

Aaron Foote, a 6-foot-4 senior at Hamilton, said he was a bit surprised by the atmosphere when he walked into the stadium on day one of the event. The courts, the fans, the other teams and of course, the several hundred college coaches in attendance, left him and some of his teammates in awe.

But once they settled in, they looked at each appearance on the court as just another game. Even then, though, it still was a unique opportunity he didn’t have last year as a junior due to the pandemic.

I’ve played in big arenas before but never in a place like this,” Foote said. “I was rattled at the beginning, but I got used to it pretty quick once we started playing.”

The East Valley was also represented by Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe. The two Ahwatukee schools played in two of the toughest brackets, with the Thunder making a run to the championship.

Several Gilbert schools were also involved along with Mesa, Red Mountain and Dobson. The tournament proved to be beneficial for all programs involved and went off without a hitch despite more than a year hiatus.

“This is the mecca,” Harris said. “They had the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of coaches and for many of them, this is what they have dreamed of. Just to have the opportunity to play in front of coaches, it’s amazing.”