loading...

SAUK RAPIDS - WJON’s All-Star Student of the Week is another stand out gymnast at North Crest Activity Center. Ethan Gonzalez is a level six gymnast with the program. He says he had the choice between gymnastics and soccer, and went with gymnastics.

Gonzalez is a Level 6 gymnast with North Crest Activity Center. (Photo: Joshua Akkerman, WJON)
Gonzalez is a Level 6 gymnast with North Crest Activity Center. (Photo: Joshua Akkerman, WJON)
loading...

"I chose gymnastics because you do flips and stuff which is really fun," says Gonzalez.

North Crest Gymnastics Head Coach Nico Velazquez says Gonzalez scored a 9.6 on his floor routine earning him first place.

"This year at state Ethan had a good run," says Velazquez, "very clean routine. Had a couple of errors, but came out strong, placed third all around, and definitely set an example for a lot of the younger kids."

Gonzalez took part in all of the events at state including floor, vault, pommel horse, parallel bars, high bar, and rings. He took third place on parallel bars and high bar. He says he enjoys participating in all of the events.

It’s really fun. Like, it’s a huge variety of things to do. -Ethan Gonzalez

"Ethan just kind of catches on right away," says Velazquez, "He’s a very quick learning gymnast, moves through skills really quickly which is good. It’s always good to have someone with the power he has at his age."

Gonzalez says floor is one of his favorite events. His first place routine at state was a highlight.

(Photo: Joshua Akkerman, WJON)
(Photo: Joshua Akkerman, WJON)
loading...

He says, "I did, a hand spring, and I did a full pirouette, that’s the first pass. Then in my second pass I did a front pike, and then the end I did a round off, back hand spring, back hand spring, back tuck."

Floor is definitely one of Gonzalez’s strong points, but it’s not the only one.

Velazquez says, "High bars is another one that he learned. Another strong point is his ring routine, it’s usually very clean, nice, [and] precise. Seeing someone work hard, getting along with all the kids, and being able to have fun with gymnastics is always fun."

At the end of the day, Gonzalez has a great feeling about taking first place at state.

"It is really awesome," he says, "You have such a good feeling."

Last week we featured another North Crest gymnast, Michael Stone.

If you know a student like Ethan, nominate them below as WJON's All-Star Student.
It can be any student, in any grade, participating in any activity.

Nominate A Student Today!

More From 1390 Granite City Sports