South County Profile: Rene Esparza

Rene Esparza started training for gymnastics at Athletics Unlimited when he was ten years old. Shortly after, he began competing, beginning as a level seven.

When Esparza was younger, the skill levels were reversed, beginning at seven and moving down in numbers as the level of competition became higher. This is something that recently changed with in the past few years. Esparza competed all the way up through level four, competed at state meets at levels five, six and seven. He also made his way to regional competitions at level five.

At 15 years old, Esparza began coaching competitive men's gymnasts and also took on the job of teaching some of the classes. At twenty years of age, Esparza is still coaching, but recently cut back his hours to nine and a half per week to go to school and work a second job.

The men's competitive team that he is currently coaching has three members and have done well at their meets, finishing in first and second place. One of Esparza's gymnasts placed first in the state a few weeks ago.

"The boys work hard to get where they're at," stated Esparza. "I enjoy teaching the sport of gymnastics because it teaches overall strength, hitting skills and total body awareness."

Esparza enjoys watching the overall satisfaction that the kids receive when they master a skill that they have been working on. He believes that this is a huge boost of self esteem for the kids and likes to work with young men that are dedicated to the sport. Esparza's favorite event is the parallel bars, but his favorite to coach is the still rings.

Besides working as a coach at Athletics Unlimited, Esparza works out at Ward Ranches in Cottonwood as a ranch hand. He works on a tractor preparing fields for planting feed crops for cows and horses. Esparza is interested in raising a vineyard of grapes and learning how to process them.

Espraza is also attending Shasta College, taking an English and a math class to get his feet wet to see what he would like to do with his life.

Esparza's future goals for coaching gymnastics include coaching youth to the highest level possible and continuing to make as many people as happy as possible throughout his life.

"Making people happy is something that my job lets me do," stated Esparza.

Esparza is a 2007 graduate of Pioneer High School in Redding. He also attended Anderson and Enterprise High Schools respectively. Esparza has been with Athletics Unlimited for the past eleven years.

Name: Rene Esparza.

Born where and when: Pomona, 1989.

Occupation: Men's Gymnastics Coach, Ranch Hand and Student.

Marital Status: Taken.

Family: All live locally.

Pets: Once had a cockatiel named Birdy.

My worst job: Landscaping in the summer heat.

My first job: Working at Athletics Unlimited as a coach.

In my spare time I: Do homework, work out and relax.

My favorite book: The Shining, with Jack Nicholson.

My favorite movie: Scar Face.

My favorite recording artist: The Dave Matthew Band.

My dream car: An Audi, Turbo Charge.

My friends like me because: I'm outgoing, loyal, enthusiastic and totally funny.

If stranded on a deserted island I would want: A metal detector, a hammock and an Olympic Certified Ring Tower.

The one thing in life I've learned is: You will never overcome your falls and defeats if you walk away from them.

The best advice my parents gave me: Keep your chin up and go for the gold.

My most embarrassing moment: Stalling my truck in the middle of an intersection.

My most valued material possession: They are important, I worked for all of them. My hero is: My sister Veronica. She influenced me and continues to support my goals with school and life.

My pet peeve: Having my leg hair pulled.

My fantasy is: To win a first place state team award.

If I had to change something about myself, I: Wouldn't mind being two or three inches taller, maybe remove some of the muscle in my arms. I can't put them down. Ha!

One thing that Shasta County needs most is: More parks and recreation.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Watching a gymnasts face when they finally master a skill.