Gymnastics of Pampa celebrates 45th anniversary

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Gymnastics of Pampa is celebrating their 45th anniversary in 2021.

Founded by owner Kristi Petty’s parents, Fred and Lola Hughes, in downtown Pampa 1976, Gymnastics of Pampa has spent 42 years in their current location on State Loop 171. After her parent’s passing in 1993 and 1996

“My mom passed away in 1993 and my dad in 1996,” Petty said. “I inherited it and it’s cool I get to carry on their legacy. I coached with them and for them. It was a family affair for sure.”

While nothing is set in stone to celebrate the anniversary, Petty said there will be some fun events.

“We will probably have some open gyms,” Petty said. “We will probably have some parent-days in the fall and some bigger activities along with those. With it being an Olympic year, we will probably do some Olympic-themed activities.”

Gymnastics of Pampa averages around 150 to 200 students during the school year and encompasses students age 3 to 18.

“We don’t often have high school kids, but sometimes the ones that want to try out for cheerleading come here,” Petty said. “Some of your best cheerleaders are former gymnasts.”

There about 35 students from Gymnastics of Pampa that compete in trampoline, tumbling and double-mini. Their competitors include state champions almost every year.

Even if a student doesn’t become a “career-gymnast,” many of the skills they learn from gymnastics translate into other sports and even life.

“I was a state-gymnast and even received several offers for volleyball, which wasn’t my primary sport, because of the spring I had,” Petty said. “Gymnasts are extremely coachable. In gymnastics you have to know what every part of your body is doing. When they get into any sport they have so much spatial awareness.”

Sign-ups for Gymnastics of Pampa will begin in August, with their season starting in September.

For more information, visit their Facebook page at “Gymnastics of Pampa” or give Kristi Petty a call at 806-662-5002.