Grant youth wins second consecutive first place title in national gymnastic competition

By Shari Friedel

The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

At the age of nine, Callum Mayer of  Grant already has two back-to-back national gymnastic championship titles to his name.

He most recently competed in Springfield, Ill., in the nine and under intermediate division, on June 20.

He qualified for nationals in 2022, which was held in Lakeland, Florida, and took the top trophy home then as well.

Cal, who learned the sport just a couple years ago by watching YouTube videos and practicing the  moves in his yard, has since been coached by Jeremy Epton at Jeremy’s House of Champions in North Platte. He makes the trip twice a week—“but only once a week during baseball,” he is quick to add.

Competition leading up to nationals means time on the road for his family, which includes parents Brad and Shelby, sisters Paisley and Brynn, and younger brother Wells, as all meets are held in Iowa. Nebraska and Iowa are combined, since Jeremy’s is the only USTA (United States Trampoline and Tumbling Association) club in Nebraska.

Competition consists of two routines—a short pass and a long pass performed on a long, springy mat called a rod floor. A short pass includes five moves, a long pass has eight. Cal’s short pass includes a roundoff, whip (modified back flip), two back handsprings and a back pike. The long pass consists of a roundoff, whip, five back handsprings and a back pike.

Participants are given five opportunities to warm up and practice their routines, but once competition starts, there are no do-overs. Judges award points based on difficulty and technique.

Cal scored 35.3, enough to take first place for the second year in a row.

He enjoys the long pass the best, with his favorite move being the back pike (back flip with straight legs). He is working on a standing full—a back flip with a 360 degree turn with no leading roundoff. Mastering this move would advance him to a higher skilled division.

Cal’s younger sister Brynn also qualified for nationals in her first year of competition, but opted out this year.

Paisley, who has participated in the past, and has placed at nationals, is experiencing knee complications and decided it would be best to give herself a rest.