A local gymnast has committed to a Division Three NCAA gymnastics program.
Zara Reboks is 17 years old and she currently competes with Ultimate Gymnastics in Thunder Bay, while attending Westgate CVI highschool.
The teen is the first athlete from the gym to take their talents to the NCAA in gymnastics.
“It’s an absolute first for us and we’re over the moon about it and I think we have athletes over the 11 years we’ve been opened that are just as deserving as this and she decided to go that extra mile and really, you know, strive to be a post secondary gymnastics athlete,” explained Ultimate Gymnastics President and Owner Greg Balec.
“There’s been athletes from gyms in Thunder Bay and ours specifically, we’ve had athletes go on to like running scholarships in Ontario and in the US as well, but for gymnastics specific, this is the first one. For gymnastics as a whole in Thunder Bay, I think it’s equally up there with the kid getting drafted to the OHL from hockey or making the AHL even the NHL.”
Reboks has been a gymnast since she was four years old, and taking the next step in her career is a recent goal of hers.
“At first, I just focused on going as far as I can still having fun with the sport,” explained Reboks. “But around a year ago, I decided I wanted to shoot for this goal.”
She will be attending Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, Minnesota, about an hour south of Minneapolis.
Head Coach Cheronne Viljoen says gymnastics differs from other athletic competitions.
“Artistic gymnastics, which is what we do,” she explained. “We have four events: vault bar, beam and floor. They get a couple of minutes to warm up their teams, and then they have to show. And unlike other sports, there’s no second shot. One turn and it is what it is, so it’s very stressful.”
Although Reboks will be leaving town to attend school, she has still had a lasting impact on the younger gymnasts who have seen the work she has put in.
“I think for every kid in this gym that this is a goal that they want to achieve one day,” said Viljoen. “It doesn’t happen for everybody, but I know every single kid in this gym looks up to Zara. She’s a wonderful teammate. She’s a wonderful team leader. She’s modest, dedicated, and hardworking. I think us as coaches couldn’t have asked for a better role model for our little ones.”
“It’s just a lot of training that goes into it, and you really have to love the sport to be able to go far in it,” added Reboks. “I just hope to inspire the younger generation and just encourage them to have fun with it as they’re doing it. Just trust the process and have fun with it.”
