Kirsten Andrews Article

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.dcmilitary.com/navy/trident/ ... 761-1.html

Former gymnast hurdles obstacles on mended legs


by JO3 Matt Jarvis
Trident Staff Writer


From an early age, Kirsten Andrews was determined to become a first-rate gymnast.

At age 7, Andrews had already made up her mind about maintaining excellence in everything she did. Academics and gymnastics were her priorities.

Hard work and practice later earned the young athlete a spot in a national gymnastic tournament held in Boston. She was only 14 years old and in the eighth grade.

"I was real excited about it," said Andrews. "During the competition I was doing a vault and landed with straight legs. My knees hyperextended and I broke both my tibias right below my kneecaps. That was basically the end of gymnastics for me. It was definitely one of the more painful things I have experienced in my life."

After four months of recovery, Kirsten felt she didn't have the feel for gymnastics any more.

She chose to replace the sport with track and volleyball, earning seven varsity letters at Garden Spot High School in Pennsylvania.

"My high school track coach knew I had done gymnastics and thought I would be good for hurdles and the pole vault," said Andrews. "That is how my career got started."

Just two years later Andrews won three state championship medals, setting league records in the pole vault and hurdles. She was also crowned a district pole vault champion in 2003.

"She is definitely one of the most energetic and most positively oriented athletes on the team," said academy track coach Carla Criste. "She loves challenges both academically and athletically. She maintains a 4.0 in the classroom and definitely obtains A-plus marks on the track as well."

In her first year on the academy track team Andrews won the outdoor Patriot League championship in the 100-meter hurdles.

She also earned Second-Team All-Patriot League honors in the indoor season by placing second in both the 60-meter hurdles and pole vault at the league championship.

"I think she has just got a real 'can do' attitude about everything in life," said Criste. "She is one of the most well-liked gals on the team. Obviously very well respected for her performances, she is generally a very sociable person who looks out for everyone around her."

Andrews said her determination to beat personal bests and always improve is what drives her to hold nothing back during practices and competitions.

"Whenever I get to practice I always seem to have lots of energy," she said. "I work out hard and just try to do better and better every day."

If her love for winning and drive to succeed weren't enough to motivate her, Andrews' parents will remind her how well her little brother is doing in competition.

That alone gives her all the extra boost she needs to kick it in gear for practice.

"My brother in high school is starting to pole vault and he is pretty close to jumping what I can jump now," Andrews said.

"My parents are always like, 'Kirsten, you better not let your brother beat you.' I definitely don't want that," said Andrews with a sound of friendly competition in her voice.

Being an elite gymnast, a track and field standout and an all-around good student has been a rough road, but Andrews said she is grateful for the different experiences that have led her to this point in her life.

"I am kind of glad that I got the opportunity to be able to participate in track," Andrews said. "If I hadn't gotten hurt, I probably would have just stuck with gymnastics. I am glad I had both experiences."

Andrews' goals for the season are to maintain her league championship in the hurdles and to acquire a Patriot League championship trophy for the pole vault.

She wants to lead from the front.

"I would love to be a captain when I am a senior," said Andrews.

"That is definitely one of my goals. I would love to be able to have that opportunity to say that I was in charge of an awesome group of girls who make up the track team at the academy. It is just a great organization to be a part of."

Andrews has already qualified for this year's Eastern National championships in the pole vault with a jump of 12 1/3 feet, ranking her as the top vaulter on the East Coast so far this season, said Criste.

The team is currently undefeated and will take on Maryland and Duke at host Delaware University tonight at 5 p.m.

The team's next home competition is Jan. 15.