Alhambra Boys Team Leads Payke Gymnastics to State Championship Title

Esteban Suarez and Leland Glauz, 4th graders at Arroyo Vista and Monterey Hills Elementary Schools in South Pasadena, led their Payke Gymnastics Level 5, age 10-11, team to the Southern California Men’s State Gymnastics Championship title on March 16, 2008 at Soka University in Aliso Viejo. Esteban was the State Champion in Floor Exercise, scoring 9.525, and Silver Medalist in Pommel Horse, with a 9.225, while Leland was the Silver Medalist in the Parallel Bars, scoring 9.60, and Bronze Medalist in the Rings, with a 9.40.

Their total scores for all six events (the other two being Horizontal Bar and Vault) were also good enough to place them 4th and 5th All-Around in the State. These All Around scores also placed them on the State’s All Star Team that beat All Star Teams from Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and Northern California at the Regional Championships in Reno on April 6.

Esteban’s and Leland’s Level 5 teammates, Giorgio Michel, Michael Levitsky, Walter Cardenas and Leo Khoroshev, train at the Payke Gymnastics Acadamy in Alhambra under Coaches Shane Jordan, Matt Lowry and Armin Nazarian. Their team stormed through the Southern California Gymnastics season undefeated against teams from San Diego to Bakersfield, including invitational meets, like the Palm Tree Classic and Peter Vidmar, that hosted teams from Las Vegas, Phoenix and Mexico.

Leland and Esteban have been competing in gymnastics with Payke for three years. Leland says “gymnastics is a great sport for kids, because it lets me do things in the gym that my parents wouldn’t let me do on the playground.” Leland’s Mom, Gayle says “gymnastics has been a great outlet for Leland’s unlimited energy and has helped him understand focus, discipline and teamwork.” Payke also sponsors very competitive girl’s gymnastics teams and has a South Pasadena facility for recreational and beginner gymnastics. For more information about the exciting sport of gymnastics call Payke at (626) 799-5050