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Kids On The Move: Danielle D’Elia

08/27/2008 - By by Beth Burke

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TWISTING AND TUMBLING TO SUCCESS

Double layouts, twisting Tsuks (pronounced “sooks”), full-in back outs…these terms may sound vaguely familiar if you’ve watched the Summer Olympics, but to most people they might as well be a foreign language. Well, to Danielle D’Elia it’s a language in which she’s been fluent almost from the time she could talk. This talented 2008 Colts Neck High School (CNHS) graduate and senior captain of its gymnastics team had always been a tough competitor for both the Cougars and her “club team,” where she trains year round. But in her final year at school she proved to be a true powerhouse in the shore area, state, and even at the national level.
 
An exceptional gymnast must combine grace, speed, strength, timing, artistry, mental stamina, and dedication to the grueling training schedule it takes to succeed at four events: floor exercise, balance beam, uneven bars, and vault. Spending an incredible 30 hours per week training between her two gyms, Danielle proved that she has the whole package by delivering nearly perfect routines throughout the season, culminating in a third place all-around finish at the NJSIAA State Individual Championships; third place individual event honors on both vault and her favorite event, bars; and leading the Cougars to an eighth place comeback at the State Team Championships. These exciting accomplishments secured her 1st Team All-Shore and 1st Team All-State accolades, but her whirlwind year wasn’t over yet.
 
Switching gears, Danielle competed in the USA gymnastics season for Galaxy Gymnastics in Freehold, where she is a Level 10 gymnast (the highest Junior Olympic level). After fracturing her foot in her junior year, Danielle was able to advance this year to the league’s regional championships in Virginia. Next, she was off to Florida to compete at the High School National Senior Showcase, a prestigious event where the top 300 seniors in the country compete for national honors. Her heart-stopping routines earned her a ninth place all-around individual finish, and helped propel the New Jersey team to an amazing third-place honor – the highest award ever gained by a team from our state! Danielle then finished out her year by earning the Green and Silver award from CNHS, a senior award given to a select-few outstanding student athletes for success in and dedication to their sport.
 
The petite 17-year old has come a long way from the energetic toddler whose introduction to the sport began when her three older sisters, Carolyn, Deanna, and Jennifer, made her their “guinea pig” for trying out their gymnastics tricks when they were growing up. After starting at her first gym at age 3 and competing on a team by age 6 she was hooked. Since then, Danielle’s had little time for other activities – she even had to miss her senior prom for the Senior Showcase, but feels it was worth every second because gymnastics truly is her passion. “There is no better feeling than the one you get when you nail one of your routines!”
 
Danielle sees both state finishes as her proudest accomplishments so far. “I hadn’t placed at States at all up until this year. You work so hard at this sport and still get put down a lot. Placing third all-around felt great that all the hard work finally paid off! I also had really wanted our team to make it to States in my senior year. It’s not always about winning first place; it’s about doing your best, and that was the highlight of a great year for me. I couldn’t ask for a better end to my high school career.”
 
Wanting to stay close to her sisters and her parents, Carole Ann and Vincent, Danielle’s future plans include attending Brookdale Community College before she decides on a four-year school that has both a strong gymnastics team and business program. She will also begin coaching a pre-team class and continue her Level 10 training to keep building her already impressive resume in the beautiful yet demanding sport of gymnastics.
 
STATS
 
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Luigino's in Staten Island
 
FAVORITE MUSIC
anything I can dance to
 
FAVORITE MOVIE
Talladega Nights
 
PET PEEVE
feet and a dirty room
 
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH
gymnast Alicia Sacramone, Eli Manning, and Will Ferrell  

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