Perfect 10: GAR North wins big, coach Rhen loses hair

Gymnastics Academy Roscoe, known as GAR North, recently celebrated an impressive performance at the National Championship for Trampoline and Tumbling, held from June 17-22, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. Competing against teams from across the nation, GAR North brought a small but mighty team of 17 athletes, and they returned with seven National Champion titles, including two first-place team awards.

"These kids are amazingly talented," said GAR North owner and coach, Max Dempsey. "They get to the competition, and they smell blood in the water. They really fight hard. We're super proud of all of our kids."

Kate Kline was the standout performer, clinching five National Champion titles. She won first place in trampolines, double mini, synchronized trampolines with her partner Tegan, and was a part of both first-place team awards.

"Kate was kind of our MVP this year," coach Max said. "She took home five titles in one competition. That's very, very rare."

Kate's stellar performance also meant she earned the opportunity to fulfill a long-standing promise. Years ago, Coach Britton, along with Coach Braz, made a deal with the team that if any of their athletes scored a perfect 10, they could give their coach the haircut of their choice. The deal has been passed down through the coaches throughout the years, and this year, in Louisville, it finally came true. Kate's perfect score meant it was time for the current coach, Coach Rhen, to get a new hairstyle. Coach Rhen will have to sport his new hairdo for one week before making any changes to it.

"I never thought anyone would pull it off," said Coach Rhen. "I knew that someone could eventually, but I didn't think it would happen in my lifetime." As for seeing one of his athletes score a perfect 10, Coach Rhen said, "It means the world to me. I couldn't be more proud of this kid."

Out of courtesy, Kate let Coach Rhen attend his brother's wedding earlier this month with his hair intact, but the clippers came out on Tuesday, October 15. Kate had fun with the moment, giving her coach a playful haircut, complete with a beard trim.

"It felt surreal because I didn't believe it at first," Kate said about her perfect score. "I turned around, saw everyone else, and then went back to the score and realized it was real. And then I was like, wow." As for her chance to wield the clippers, she laughed, "I honestly didn't think that would happen."

Coach Max couldn't have been prouder of the team's collective achievement. "Competitions are not won at the meet; they're won at practice," he said. "These kids always work hard. I tell them every time, 'Don't go out there to make me proud. You made me proud every time you walked in the door of this place.' We just wanted them to do their best, have a great time, and make memories, and this is part of it."

The GAR North team is already back in the gym, preparing for the upcoming season. "We don't know how, but we're going to try and do even better than last season," coach Rhen said.

The Nationals event in Louisville, hosted by the United States Trampoline & Tumbling Association (USTA), saw over 2,300 athletes from 130 teams competing across various events. GAR North's performance against larger teams with up to 50 participants was a testament to their skill, determination, and training.

About Gymnastics Academy North

GAR North offers a state-of-the-art facility, a positively uplifting environment, and a curriculum crafted by Max Dempsey—a 5-Time Elite National Champion, a 7-year member of the U.S. Team, and a Pan-American Gold Medalist. Max and his wife, Donya, bring over 70 years of expertise in gymnastics, cheerleading, and competitive sports. Based in Roscoe, IL, and family-owned and operated, GAR North prides itself on fostering a supportive atmosphere for young athletes. Max and Donya, originally from Mobile, AL, have been married for almost 32 years, raising eight children and welcoming two grandchildren, all while building a thriving gymnastics community in Roscoe.

Click through the image gallery below to relive some highlights from Nationals!