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Trupe finds niche in gymnastics
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FarkRAPID CITY — Simply put, 10-year-old Austin Trupe looks like a gymnast.
Standing barefoot in a pair of shorts and a Nike T-shirt, slim and trim with the body of an athlete, Austin appears every bit the well-trained gymnast. In addition his eyes reveal the derring-do of a boy who loves the thrill of a physical challenge. Fortunately, Austin’s similarity to an
outstanding gymnast goes beyond mere physical appearance as he performs like one as well.
On April 11, Austin represented Just Jymnastics of Rapid City and his coach, Tim Trimble, at the U.S. Gymnastics Region IV championships in Iowa City, Iowa. Region IV consists of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The region has produced a number of world-class gymnasts including Paul and Morgan Hamm, who were members of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. Austin was accompanied by teammates Adam Koehn, Zach Creer, Donovan Pereida, Joe Carlin and Jens Christensen.
He competed against 39 gymnasts and won individual event first-place medals in the pommel horse and the high bar. Most impressively, he claimed the highest award at a gymnastic competition — the all-around title — an event which combines the results of five separate events to determine the best overall gymnast.
Did Austin have a hunch that he would perform so well?
“I had a feeling I might win,” he said.
The performance completed a remarkable day of achievement for this young up-and-coming Rapid City athlete.
Austin is only the fifth gymnast to earn such an achievement during the past 16 years.
“Not surprising,” said Trimble, who gravitated toward gymnastics after graduating from high school in Rapid City where he competed in wrestling.
“Austin is built for gymnastics. He has a lot of daredevil in him. He is not afraid of experimenting, and the unknown does not scare him very much.”
This past season, Austin competed in gymnastic events in Kansas City and Denver and won a first-place medal in the all-around in Kansas City.
“Kansas City is a different region,” Trimble said.
“For Austin to win out of his region says a lot about his ability.”
Despite the fact that the competitive season for young gymnasts extends from January to April culminating in the regional competition, Trimble said that Austin and his teammates continue to train all year long.
Austin, the son of Shawn and Morey Trupe, began in gymnastics at the age of 1 as part of a moms and tots program with his older brothers, Dylan and Garret, and his sister, Madisyn. While his siblings have moved on to other sports, Austin has stayed true to gymnastics.
“He just loves it,” his mother said. “He can’t go through the house anymore without doing donkey kicks or flipping over the couch. Gymnastics has helped Austin to learn to set goals for himself and the time management skills to reach those goals. Coach Trimble does a wonderful job working with the boys, and does not always receive the recognition he should for all his hard work.”
Austin has his own reasons for liking gymnastics.
“I like the competition,” he said. “And I always enjoy coming and working out.”
He must since practices usually take about 12 hours a week. It is quite a commitment given that many find it impossible to do any activity for 12 hours a week. But Austin is on the mat working out three hours a day, four days a week, rain or shine.
It is impossible to watch Austin and his teammates work out without sensing the pleasure they derive from their activities. Whether jumping, tumbling, vaulting or walking across the floor on their hands, their sense of joy permeates the gym, and seems to rebound from the walls as loudly as their laughter.
“Gymnastics is not for everyone,” Trimble said. “Gymnastics requires a unique mindset that not every kid has.”
After he speaks, Austin runs past, springs on the vaulting platform and does a somersault landing, as the exercise calls for, flat on his back. His routine is a perfect emphasis to what Trimble has just said.
“I truly believe that gymnastics is the most difficult sport a young person can compete in and is also an activity that helps to develop the body control and mental discipline necessary to succeed in other sports.”
Mastery of one’s body movement is essential in gymnastics to avoid some rather abrupt and painful landings. A quiet sense of self-confidence doesn’t hurt either.
Austin said his goal in gymnastics is to make it to the next level, maybe even the Olympics some day. Of such dreams are realities made. Besides, his hunches have been pretty good so far.
Austin Trupe, 10, watches his hands land on the pummel horse as he flips over it while practicing vaults Thursday at Just Jymnastics in Rapid City. Trupe won the Region IV gymnastic championship in mid-April in Iowa City, Iowa. (Seth A. McConnell/Journal staff)
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