Elijah Holt is the youngest of four brothers – all gymnasts – and has a father who once competed for Ohio State. So it was probably Holt's destiny to get into the sport. And he'd want it no other way. "I grew up in the gym," the Hurst L.D. Bell junior. "When you learn new skills, you have this urge to keep going, and it's a good sport to get over your fears."
Holt finished second in the all-around at last month's state meet and became the third straight L.D. Bell gymnast to be named SportsDay's boys gymnast of the year. His older brother, Abram, won it in 2007.
Holt finished third in the all-around at last year's meet after missing three months because of a broken right femur. Holt competed injury-free this year, and it made a difference at the state meet.
Holt earned 10s in the floor exercise, parallel bars and the high bar during compulsories. He had another 10 in the vault at the district meet.
"I had time to keep improving," Holt said. "I didn't have to worry about injuries."
Recent winners
| Year | Athlete | School | | 2004 | Kirby Jacobson | Eul. Trinity | | 2005 | David Rangel | Eul. Trinity | | 2006 | Todd Hyden | Highland Park | | 2007 | Abram Holt | Hurst L.D. Bell | | 2008 | Nik Bosnyak | Hurst L.D. Bell | |
Boys first team
Team based on performances at the state meet.
| Name | School | Cl. | At state | | Michael Bird | FW Boswell | Sr. | 8th in all-around | | Keith Green | Gar. Lakeview | Sr. | 4th on rings | | Dayne Hill | Gar. Lakeview | Sr. | Tied for 2nd on high bar | | Johann Handszer | Gar. Lakeview | Fr. | 6th in all-around, 3rd on p-bars | | Justin Muenz | Gar. Lakeview | Jr. | 6th on high bar | | Stephen Roberts | Hurst L.D. Bell | Sr. | 3rd on floor exercise | | Nathan Young | S. Garland | Sr. | 2nd on vault, 9th in all-around | |
Boys coach of the year
Kevin Muenz, Garland Lakeview: Lakeview used a strong showing in the optional round to vault from fifth place after compulsories and finish second overall behind Bryan in the team competition. Lakeview earned second-place spots in the high bar, vault and rings during optionals.
