November 20, 2024
Imagine a place where boys can run, flip, swing through the air, or even land in a pit of foam. Where is this dream destination? It’s at Palatine Park District!
Gymnastics Coordinator Nick Persino, a life-long gymnast, designs recreational and competitive gymnastics classes for both girls and boys. Classes start as early as 18 months, with an adult, and are co-recreational until age six when boys’ and girls’ classes are separated.
Gymnastics has enjoyed a surge in interest, as is typical following an Olympic year. What isn’t quite as common is the US men’s team earned its first Olympic medal in 16 years!
“Palatine Park District is one of the few boys’ gymnastics programs in the area,” Persino said. With the beginner classes flourishing Persino can offer something that hasn’t been active at Palatine in almost eight years, a competitive boys’ team. The team is co-coached by Andrew Arnold and Ignacio Pegueros. “I credit Ignacio with having the vision to get the boys’ team up and running again,” Persino said. Pegueros, who is a teacher by day, has been a competitive coach for the last 30 years in Illinois. He has been a gymnast his entire life and was a national team member in Mexico.
“We initially offered one beginner boys’ class in the fall,” Persino explained. “The class filled up immediately with about 10 on the waitlist so we were able to open another. We brought back the boys’ advanced beginner class, but even after opening a second beginner class and the advanced class, both beginner classes filled, with boys still on the waitlist.”
For the winter/spring session Persino is offering three beginner boys’ classes, and one advanced beginner boys’ class. Registration for In-District participants begins December 3 with Out-of-District December 10. Classes begin January 6.
“Most of the boys on the competitive team came from the recreational classes at the district,” Pegueros explained. He looks for talent, coachability, and commitment. “We want everyone to be safe,” he said. “The recreational program is progressive so there are skills everyone has to master before moving on. Team members continue to learn appropriate progression of skills, again, with a focus on safety. We have 2 ½ hours at practice to work on six events,” he added.
Those six events include rings, pommel horse, floor, vault, parallel bars, and high bar. Palatine’s boys’ team will be competing in three meets in the 2024-25 season. The season starts in November and ends in March of 2025 with a state meet. The team will compete at Level 4 – USAG (United States of America Gymnastics).
Co-Coach Andrew Arnold is a familiar face around the gymnastics program. “I grew up doing gymnastics with Palatine Park District and trained at the park district until high school,” Arnold said. “The recreational classes are great for anyone who wants to try out gymnastics. The team has longer practices on more days of the week, so anyone doing the team needs to be ready to commit more of their time and really focus on gymnastics. Overall, in all the recreation classes and on the team, the kids are learning new skills, getting stronger and having fun.”
Completing the coaching staff is Jake Kobler. He has been a volunteer gymnastics coach for almost three years. “The benefit of volunteering as a gymnastics coach for me is watching these young kids evolve into strong gymnasts and surprise not only the coaches but surprise themselves on what they are capable of accomplishing,” he said.
Arnold said his goal for the first competition is for the boys to show off what they have been training and to do their best. “They will be nervous and in front of their teammates, other competitors, parents and others viewing the meet,” he said. “I want them to encourage each other and see the support from the coaches as they compete and have a positive experience. No matter how they finish in the meet I really want them to have fun.”
Even if boys don’t want to make gymnastics a lifelong pursuit, there are many benefits to trying the sport. “If you have a boy or a girl, and you want your child to be good in sports, have them take gymnastics; it helps with every sport going forward,” Persino said. Arnold agrees. “Training in gymnastics can improve balance, coordination, strength, and focus,” he said. “They are able to learn new things, meet friends and have fun! Everyone is welcome to try it out.”
“Save the pictures of this team,” Pegueros added. “You just might see a future Olympian.”
