Anderson gymnast makes a comeback

Balancing Act:
Shawn Perry, 14 of Anderson does the splits on the beam durring an afternoon workout at Athletics Unlimited. Perry is training for her long awaited return to the world of gymnastics after an injury two years ago.

14-year-old Shawn Perry, of Anderson, began participating in the competitive sport of gymnastics when she was 6-years-old, training at Jeanie's Gymnastics in Redding.

When the gymnastics center closed, she began working out at Galaxy Gymnastics. It was at Galaxy where she first started coaching the sport. Perry then began to work out at Athletics Unlimited before leaving the gym to train at a higher level in Roseville at Byers Gymnastics.

But after hurting her knee, Perry had to take two years off to take care of her injuries.

Now, Perry has been back in the gym at Athletics Unlimited for over a month, working on technique and preparing once again for competition, which she will begin again next season.

Perry is training three days a week for a total of sixteen hours each week with coach JD MacDonald.

When Perry left the sport of gymnastics, she felt as if she was not ready to quit and realized how much she loved the sport. Perry's favorite events are the balance beam and the floor exercise.

Perry's parents are supportive of her choice to return to the sport. She is currently attending North State Independent High School, doing independent study. Perry has also continued on to coach Level 4 gymnasts at Athletics Unlimited. She is a level 7 gymnast.