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Caroline Fitzpatrick began her career at Stamford's Arena Gymnastics as a preschooler. It was evident early to coach Laurie DeFrancesco that Caroline had extraordinary ability. She had agility, flexibility, strength and focus, DeFrancesco said. Sometimes you can see at an early age theyre going to be good. Sometimes it comes later. Sometimes not at all. With Caroline, we knew early.
DeFrancesco and her husband, Frank, who have been coaching the highest level gymnasts at Arena for the past 28 years, says, "We are always watching for young talent."
Fitzpatrick, who turns 16 on Saturday, heads into Sundays USA Gymnastics Level 9 Connecticut State Championships as one of the top gymnasts in the state. The New Canaan High School sophomore will compete in the state meet Sunday at Pomperaug High School in Southbury.
Fitzpatrick is coming off the signature performance of her blossoming career last month at the GymQuarters Invitational in St. Charles, Mo. Competing against some of the top athletes in the nation, Caroline won the all-around title along with uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. She also took third on the vault.
Caroline played soccer and lacrosse when she was younger. Gymnastics, however, was her first love. The adrenaline rush that you get, and the feeling that you get after you stick a beam routine, is just incredible, Fitzpatrick says. Thats when you know that all the hard work has paid off.
Her favorite apparatus is the balance beam. It is the sports most unforgiving event, where a lapse in concentration can make the difference between first and failure. You have to stay focused and think about one thing at a time, Caroline said. If you dont, you just get overwhelmed. Its the hardest event to pick up. The key is staying focused and working on each part.
Fitzpatrick shines because she prepares as well as any athlete DeFrancesco has ever coached. Shes a very solid competitor, DeFrancesco said. She competes like she trains. When we go to competitions, Caroline is very low maintenance, which isnt always the case. Despite her success, she remains very unassuming. She never lets it go to her head."
Fitzpatrick started at Arena when an older brother, Scott, also participated in the sport. I can still picture myself running around, acting crazy, she says. Her approach is more serious now. It is also one of the traits that makes her an up-and-coming star. Shes consistent, DeFrancesco said. Her work ethic is there every day.
Fitzpatricks goal at the state meet is to qualify for regionals in April. The Top Six from the regionals in her age group qualify for the Eastern Nationals in May. In 2010, Caroline won the balance beam event at the Eastern National Championships and finished sixth overall. She has increased her difficulty significantly since then. I always pictured myself going far with gymnastics, Caroline said. It is working out about the way I hoped it would.
Have you seen Caroline perform in gymnastics? What are your thoughts? Start the discussion below!
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